Reed CC had three elevens playing on Sunday. Hosting the match at home, the Second XI fielded a mixture of competent youngsters and veteran campaigners in this annual fixture against the strong all-round wandering side, Saracens.

Visiting skipper, Woody Morgan won the toss and elected to bat and apart from the early loss of Parker, all the top order batsmen got starts with major contributions coming from Ayre, Bradbury and Somerville. Morgan himself top-scored with an undefeated 56 batting at number 8. Fergus Martin had the best bowling figures of 2 for 22 whilst Marcus Baker, Ed Garrott, Keiran Ward and Peter Baker each took 1 wicket. Saracens declared on 232 for 8.

Reed’s reply was built on the steady platform of a 73 run opening partnership between Ed Blissett, (31), and Peter Baker, (46). Then, after a couple of setbacks, a hard-hit 30 from Keiran Ward bolstered Reed’s cause as he and Marcus Baker led a comeback.

Ward’s good work was continued by Ed Garrott who was unphased first by the spinning guile of Bigby and Young then by the return of the aggressively pacey Parker. With further wickets falling, Reed were unable to really threaten Saracens’ total, but when Garrott was out for a superb 45, the tail enders capably played-out the remaining deliveries for a draw. Reed ended on 215 for 9, just 17 runs less than their visitors’ score.