After a very strong start to the 2026 Season Reed were hit over the last weekend with a surprising raft of player absences due to holidays, injuries and late sicknesses. Despite this the Club still managed to put out 4 x Saturday League Xl’s (of which 3 were victorious) and even 2 x Sunday Xl’s. All this thanks to good late availability from semi-retired players and fathers of junior players. Club morale and commitment has rarely been higher!

After Reed 1st Xl’s hard fought Saturday victory in their “Top of the Table” clash against St Albans at Reed, our team travelled on the lengthy journey to play Sussex Champions Crowhurst Park CC at their attractive ground near Battle with an Xl missing 2 x Village Cup Xl regulars, and Vice-Captain Will Heslam leading the team for the 2nd match of the weekend.

Crowhurst Park are top of their Sussex League and their 1st Xl were, until Sunday, undefeated in 11 Matches this season. The previous day they had rattled up 316-5 in their 45 over innings and registered an emphatic win.

Things started well for Reed. Skipper Will Heslam won the toss asked Crowhurst to bat first and in his 2nd over Jack Tidey had Crowhurst star all rounder Jordan Shaw LBW for just 1 run after he had scored 125 the day before! Tidey and Julian Fynn were both bowling tight spells, backed up by very sharp, and well set, Reed fielding. Early on Crowhurst were struggling to find any real momentum. Then, with the score 36-1 off 10 overs, Tidey pulled up in pain after the first ball of his 6th over, proved unable to continue his over, and did not bowl again in the match.
Skipper Will Heslam completed the last 5 balls of Tidey’s over and then continued to bowl himself with an inspired 7.5 over spell of tight left arm over bowling that produced 2 wickets for 24. Ollie Johnson 8 Overs 0-37 took over from Fynn (8 overs 0-30) and bowled equally effectively. At the 20 Over halfway stage of their innings Crowhurst could muster only 69-3 as Reed bowled with discipline and Jack Caine and Charlie Walters in particular both fielded with tremendous energy in the outfield despite the sapping heat. They closed down and reduced many scoring opportunities throughout the innings.

After Heslam completed his spell Tom Greaves joined Johnson in the Reed attack. At this stage the home team really had to seek to accelerate, and Bradley Payne and Dave Rayment led the charge, Payne producing 3 x huge 6’s flying well over the heads of boundary fielders.
At the 2nd Drinks break, at the 30 Overs mark, Crowhurst were 126-3 and at this juncture Reed switched Wicket Keepers with James Heslam taking the gloves as Sean Tidey was going to have to bowl the 3 overs that his injured brother could not deliver. 8 Balls later Greaves moved one past the aggressive shot of Payne and James Heslam took a smart stumping to remove the Crowhurst danger man for 37. Nitin Rabari then joined Rayment and he proved particularly effective striking 44* in just 9 overs at the crease. Rayment reached his half century 51* and Crowhurst eventually totalled 191-4 off their full 40 over complement. Reeds bowling, and particularly their fielding, had been exemplary throughout and the Crowhurst total seemed a bit under par.

After a wonderful tea Reed’s openers Will Heslam and NVC stalwart Stuart Smith opened the batting and they soon realised that chasing this total was going to be no easy matter as both opening bowlers Jordan Shaw and Bradley Payne proved to offer rapid pace and aggression. Sussex 2nd Xl player Shaw proved particularly hostile bowling several fearsome bouncers. Reed’s opening pair provided brave resistance and as they got used to the pace picked off several boundaries taking the score to 36. However, at the start of the 9th over Smith was struck a thunderous impact to the side of his helmet by a fast short ball from Shaw. After a delay for treatment, Smith bravely insisted on continuing to bat but some 3 overs later he took the sensible decision to retire not out for 20 and take a trip to the nearby Hastings Hospital for examination. Skipper Will Heslam meanwhile continued, occasionally hurried, but essentially comfortable at the crease. Matt Sampson fell caught behind for 6 but then Charlie Walters joined Heslam and the pair looked comfortable taking the total to 85-1 at 20 Overs and then to 109-2 in the 25th over when Walters fell caught for 20. Tom Greaves added 7, Sean Tidey a rapid 17, and James Heslam just 1, as meanwhile Will Heslam moved serenely on towards 80 and seemingly steering Reed towards a fine win. In the 35th over, with the score on 170-5 Jack Caine joined Heslam with Reed requiring just 22 to win in 5 overs, and now with the returned from Hospital Stuart Smith padded up and waiting to come in if another wicket fell!

Smith’s further heroics were fortunately not required as Caine and Will Heslam batted sensibly, ran well between the wickets, and with Will Heslam on 90* the match was won with yet another Crowhurst Park “Wide” ball – one of 17 that they bowled in the 38 overs that Reed batted.

This was an excellent all-round performance from Reed against a good quality side, probably one of the best sides we have played in this competition for many years. Reed’s William Heslam was a clear Man of the Match.

A lovely ground, hospitable hosts, a magnificent tea, a hard fought, good quality Cricket Match that was enjoyed by a good number of travelling Reed Supporters and was captivating watching from the beginning to the end.

Reed now move on to the competitions last 16 stage where they play away again (!) to Blackheath (Surrey) and just 3 matches away from another possible Lords Final.