Reeds game was abandoned at Welwyn Garden City on Saturday with the game heading for a draw. After losing the toss and starting with 10 players due to an accident on the M1, Reed managed 2 quick wickets as WGC were 28-2. However a 93 run 3rd wicket partnership from D English (77) and D Blackhopp (72) saw WGC take control of the game despite good bowling from the whole Reed attack. Tight bowling from Richard Johnson (1 for 45) and Michael Berks (2 for 52) got Reed back into the game before a devastating 2nd spell from senior bowler Pete Tidey who in taking 4 wickets in his 2nd spell finished with 5 for 74 off 20.1 overs as Reed bowled out WGC for 222.

Recent double centurion James Heslam and new opening partner Will Clarke got Reed off to a good start before Clarke was run out with the score on 33. Skipper Simon Jackson and James Heslam both got out in disappointed fashion before Phil Frenay set about adding some stability to the Reed middle order. Regular Reed wickets fell, despite stubborn batting from Ed Garrott, Marcus Martin and Andy Young. However as the skies darkened and the heavens opened WGC bought back opening quickie Ahmed who finally got Frenay out for 45. The umpires called a halt to proceedings due to the downpout shortly after with Reed on 111 for 7 with 6 overs left.

Skipper Simon Jackson was “disappointed with a couple of things that happened in the Reed innings and that we did not get closer to the WGC score. Again it was another team that relied heavily on their overseas player (D English) to score their runs and without him the game would have been very close. Next weekend we have full availability for the visit of Hemel so there could be some disappointed Reed players. It will be good to finish on a roll and have work on a top 6 finish”