Reed were unlucky to lose on Saturday as they fell just short of Dunstable’s total in the gloom, allowing the hosts to maintain their leading position in the league and secure promotion to Division 1.

The day began well for Reed as they won the toss and asked Dunstable’s star studded minor counties batting line up to pad up.  This decision was immediately rewarded as Andrew Young left the hosts floundering on 6 for 1 as he exploited the exaggerated seam movement with ease.  Accompanied by the ever iconic Peter Tidey at the other end, who himself bagged an impressive  five wicket haul, Young was the pinnacle of pace as he continued to make inroads into the Dunstable line-up, leaving the hosts 79-7 at one point.

With such penetrative bowling and excellent seam movement, the Dunstable middle order did well to scrape together 148 on a pitch that was becoming gradually dryer by the hour.  This total proved to be challenging in the end.

Reed’s innings got off the worst possible start as William Clarke (2) was yorked with a swift delivery leaving them 6 – 1, but with Chris Jackson managing to stabilise the ship with James Heslam, the situation improved for Reed.  When Jackson fell to a rash stroke, Dunstable’s impressive bowling attack though they had Reed against the ropes, but together with James Heslam, Phil Frenay made a quickfire 34 to see Reed march towards the total imperiously.  However, when he became the second victim of a magnificent caught and bowled opportunity, the Reed innings was beginning to fray at the edges.

A short rain interval reduced Reed’s overs to reach the total adding further pressure on them to decide to press for victory or settle for a draw.  Opting for the former, some lusty blows from Richard Johnson, Andrew Young and James Heslam gave the visitors some realistic hope, but a handful of quick wickets left Reed staring down the barrel at victory, as Dunstable closed in on victory and promotion while Reed fell for 128.

Simon Jackson commented: “It was a huge disappointment to lose on Saturday – we dismissed the league leaders cheaply, fought hard against a good bowling attack, and the weather worked hugely against us by inflating our required run rate.  Although we could have opted for a draw, we decided to gamble to obtain 30 points rather than settle for 5 which we would have achieved with a draw in any case.  Unfortunately, that decision did not pay off but one we felt we had to take.  However it was certainly one of the best bowling performances by Reed this season.”