Does the 'reach' (length) of a weapon have any consequences in combat?

Is it just my imagination, or do the weapons with a long reach such as spear, halberd, and quarterstaff actually seem to confer some sort advantage in their wielder not getting hit as often by enemy meleers using weapons with a shorter reach? I'm sometimes amazed at how seldom mages get hit when they melee with a stave. Whereas if they melee with a dagger?... good God.