Reed took the brave decision of putting the home side in to bat
and trying to take advantage of the humid conditions. It seemed to
have paid dividends when Robertson removed Blakeley for a duck with
only the 4th ball. Reed then dropped some vital catches and this
allowed Ampthill to put on 112 for the 2nd wicket. The partnership
was finally broken by Ian Roberts. Reed then started to fight back.
Ampthill lost 2 wickets with the score on 124 and the run rate
slowed. Mark Peart and Roberts were now bowling well in tandem.
Ampthill were 162-5 and finding it hard to get ball away. They lost
wickets steadily and this meant a total of well over 200 was out of
the question. Peart and Roberts bowled 36 overs between them. Roberts
took 4-65 and Peart 3-66. Ampthill set Reed 195 to win.
Reed had 26 on the board before Watts was bowled for 6. Curtis had
hit 25 before he was the next to go with the score on 39. Reed just
couldn’t get the scoreboard ticking. Trevor Saunders smashed a quick
18, but after he went Reed’s chances look slim. Mark Peart was also
bowled for a patient 19 with Reed 99-5, which quickly came 100-6.
Ampthill couldn’t make another break through as Simon Roberts and
Robert Dunn saw Reed to a drew. Roberts was left on 32 and Dunn 16.
Reed managed 135-6 at the close.
