Reed’s Dads Army went in to battle with familiar foes Thorley on Sunday. With the younger warriors fighting the good fight at Botany Bay, Captain Mainwaring’s. I mean Archers side arrived at a drying Thorley ground, which nestles pleasantly in the bottom corner of Will’s garden. After a brief meeting with Sgt Wilson, sorry Robertson, Archer marched out to decide his allies fate, Clive calling out “If you win the toss stick ‘em in THEY DON’T LIKE IT UP EM”.

Reed won the toss and elected to field Roberts and Archer restricting the home side to 32 off the first 15 overs. The openers riding there luck on several occasions before Gooden was run out for 23. Fellow opener Cork somehow survived to make 33 before Baker caught a mistimed drive off the bowling of Haslam. Robertson trapped Jones LBW for 0 and Reed were well on top with Thorley struugling on 95-4 with only eight overs remaining. Eldred then took the fight to Reed playing a swashbuckling innings, hitting a rapid 81no with Collins taking some flak in particular going for 55 off just six overs. Thorley’s innings closing on 161-5 off their 40 overs. Hazard the harbinger “We’re doomed” he bawled.

Without Blissett, having tea with his sister Dolly. Reeds batting looked suspect and some tight early bowling made the task in hand look more and more difficult. Baker was out for 26, Bowles 19 and Naeem 42 rallied briefly, but the target always seemed a bit beyond Reed and the innings eventually closed 18 short of the target.