Reed 2nd XI went to Eversholt on Saturday in good form and extended their winning run to 3 games, and are now within sight of the promotion spots.

After losing the toss and being put into the field on another scorching hot day, and on what looked to be a good batting track, Reed looked up against it. However Reed’s opening bowlers, the returning Rupert Martin and the evergreen Ian Roberts, soon had Eversholt in trouble.

Martin in particular bowled a stunning spell of pacey in-swingers, reminiscent of Reed legend and bowling guru Peter Tidey. Martin soon got his reward when he bowled Eversholt’s captain M Singleton junior ?through the gate? with a superb delivery. Ian Roberts then had Pougher caught in stunning fashion by captain Jason Archer. Eversholt?s problems continued when debutant Harry Picton-Turbevill combined with wicket keeper Steve Dunn to run out Salisbury for 0 minutes after the impressive Martin clean bowled Ling for his 2nd wicket, leaving the hosts floundering at 26-4.

Page (27) and Chaplin (17) then began to steady the ship for Eversholt, before the cunning Ian Roberts bowled Chaplin. Picton-Turbevill then took the ball for Reed and with a controlled spell of pace bowling had Eversholt struggling. He soon took the wicket of the dangerous Page to leave Eversholt on 70-6. However another solid partnership allowed Eversholt to recover to 104-6 before Reed’s in-form all rounder Karl Ward took the ball and had Fuller and Jani removed in quick succession.

With the hosts struggling on 104-8, Reed looked to be close to wrapping up the Eversholt innings for a minimal total. However in the searing heat, the final two wickets were hard to get, and a 50 run partnership from Miles (32) and Mottershead (9 not out) allowed Eversholt to race towards a decent total of 159-8. Captain Archer then made the decision to re-introduce Rupert Martin, and in similer fashion to his opening spell Martin did the trick. He had the free scoring Miles caught by Matt Bowles at point, and then two balls later bowled M Singleton senior to close Eversholt’s innings on 159.

Reed’s opening batsmen, brothers Ben and Matt Bowles then set about trying to chase the total down. Good early bowling from Chaplin restricted the run rate early doors, however some sensible batting ensured no early wickets went down.

Matt “edgy” Bowles soon found his rhythm and began to punish the Eversholt seem attack with some exquisite straight drives and ably supported by Ben Bowles, Reed homed in on the Eversholt total. Matt Bowles continued to keep the boundaries flowing for Reed reached his 50 in quick time. With Reed looking set, and the score 91-0 the heat finally got to the batsmen and their superb opening partnership was broken. Matt Bowles went for 61, soon to be followed by Ben Bowles for a important 25.

Eversholt, sensing a glimmer of hope then found a second wind and removed Picton-Turbevill for 10. Reed remained undeterred however, and Ian Fulk (20 not out) and John Heslam (21 not out) saw the visitors home sensibly and comfortably, ensuring Reed II?s promotion hopes are alive and kicking.