Reed hosted Newport after going to play them at their place, the previous week. Within the Reed team, they had 3 females playing, for the first time in 1 adult side, and 5 Jackson’s.

On a lovely sunny day at the village green, Newport wanted to bat first and got off to a good start, getting to 30 without loss. However, wicket taking machine Jim Sapsed (3-33) finally got into the act, getting out their top 3 batters. Lily Hall was the pick of the Reed bowlers taking 3 wickets for 19 runs in her 7 overs, with some beautiful spin bowling. Rebecca Jackson, playing her first adult game, also managed to get a wicket in her 5 overs, which only went for 19. Abigail Jackson (1-29) was unlucky in her opening spell to not take a wicket, but got a wicket in her second spell. Newport scored 141 in their 35 overs.

Reed batting wise, went to the more senior players to start the innings with Dave Saunders (39) and Paul Garret (39) both rolling back the years with the bat. Newport bowled well throughout and Reed under 13, Jack Manning-Coe, playing for Newport, didn’t have a run off the bat in his first 10 balls, in a very testing spell of bowling for Newport. Matthew Jackson was pushed up the batting order and got a quickfire 21, at quicker than a run a ball. However, old boys Dave Shagham (28 off probably 15 balls!) and Mas Naeem saw Reed home with just over 6 overs to spare.

A big thank you to Reed players, Oli Gardener and Jack Manning-Coe for playing for Newport, Newport for an enjoyable Sunday game and Julie and Bethan for the best Sunday tea in Hertfordshire!

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