This was a fixture arranged through the Cricket Conference where the strengths of the two sides were inconsistently balanced. Slip End, from the Luton area, blasted their way to 299 for 8 mainly through strong hitting from Nadeem, (52), Kashrif, (78), and Khuram, (79 not out), but also with support from Amjad, Moshin and Akmal. Reed’s bowling attack conceded these runs at a rate of 6.64 runs per over with Neal Haslam taking 3 wickets for 45, Clive Collins 2 for 53 and 1 each from Ed Garrott and Peter Baker. Spilled catches contributed to Slip End’s cause. They might have been out for much less had the chances been taken!

The Reed response was positive although the asking rate was a high one. Skipper Baker departed for 17 after a field change paid-off for the visitors, as he was unable to keep one along the ground and was caught at extra cover. Two further wickets fell soon after placing then precariously at 33 for 3.

The next phase saw the teenaged pair of Marcus Baker and Matthew Bowles take the score past the hundred mark. Their partnership of 73 in 14 overs saw Baker score 8 fours as he raced to a total of 37 before missing a straight one.

Wickets continued to tumble and the hosts then found themselves at 122 for 7. Experienced campaigner, Steve Dunn, played the ideal role and contributed to a 50-run partnership with Matt Bowles whilst the youngster approached his half-century. Appearing comfortable with each variety of bowling he faced, Bowles played a mature role, as Dunn saw him to his fifty and beyond.

Bowles went past this milestone with a mixture of some clean, crisp hitting and deft glances to fine leg. After Dunn had departed, Clive Collins joined Bowles at the crease and he too hit boundaries as the visitors changed their bowlers around in an effort to stem the flow of runs. They could not stop Reed putting-on 99 runs for their last 3 wickets, but Bowles eventually holed-out to a catch in the deep for a superb 81. Reed had been bowled all-out for 221 and had thus lost by 78 runs. Slip End 299 for 8 in 45 overs beat Reed 2nd XI, 221 all-out in 42.3 overs by 78 runs.