Reed Second XI won this friendly match by 30 runs on Sunday. Opener, Ed Blissett, continued his recent good form with 64, but needed Matt Bowles, (36), to help repair some early damage caused by young Jack Tidey.

Choosing to bowl up the Reed slope that for so long has been associated with his uncle, Reed stalwart, Peter, teenaged Jack took 2 for 17 in 6 overs. He was supported by his equally youthful opening partner, J. Stanford, who conceded just 9 runs from 4 overs. Blissett and Bowles put-on 80 together, but at 116-5, Steeple appeared to have the upper hand. Steve Lovegrove, (16), and Peter Baker, (27 not out), then boosted the scoring rate and Reed were able to declare at a comfortable 175 for 6. Roy Hodgson had taken 3 for 26 after he had been brought into the attack.

Steeple Morden’s reply was given a solid start with Bill Stanford scoring 17 and “Donk” Williams 38. However, once Reed debutant Terry Mack entered the fray, Steeple stalled. Mack took 4 for 23 and he was backed-up by Dave Johnson, 2 for 17, Neal Haslam, 2 for 40 and Marcus Baker, 1 for 16.

At this stage, Steeple skipper, Tim Tidey joined Graham Jarman. Although they had been behind the asking rate for the majority of the innings, these two veterans managed to strike the ball for boundaries and into gaps and maintained a slight chance of victory. Eventually, host skipper, Peter Baker, (1 for 5), had Jarman caught behind giving Reed victory by 30 runs with just 13 deliveries to spare