Reed won the toss and decided to bat on one of the hottest days of
the year. Reed had reached 69 off just ten overs. Baz Curtis took a
particular like to the bowling of Hogg, smashing his first four overs
for 35. Andy Blackett came into the attack and slowed the run rate
from one end. Runs continue to flow from the other end with Curtis
taking 24 from one Burgess over. Meanwhile, Paul Watts was also
moving the score along moving the ball into the spaces. He and
Curtis had put on 135 in 24 overs before Curtis went for 98. He hit
16 fours and 2 sixes. Watts quickly followed for a solid 25. This
brought first team league debutant James Heslam to the wicket. He
added 64 with Chris Jackson. Showing no nerves, he hit the ball to
all parts of the ground with a mixture of pull and front foot drives.
Jackson went for 22 and Heslam went nine short of his 50. Trevor
Saunders bludgeoned a quick 17, Simon Jackson a quick 14 and this
meant Reed had posted a challenging 241 for 6.
Reed needed an early breakthrough and despite some good bowling
from Michael Berks and Richard Johnson, the breakthrough did not
come. Berks finally got through bowling Stag with a score of 54.
Another 32 were added before Chris Jackson removed Stag for 38. By
now, Bayford and Hertford were behind the clock and on a batting
paradise a draw looked the most likely. Jackson picked up another
wicket and a fine piece of fielding by Scott Rouse led to a run out.
Richard Robertson bowled tidily as ever and also picked up a wicket
with the aid of a fine catch by Chris Jackson. Reed could not find
another way through and the game petered out to a draw with Bayford
221 for five at the close.
