Old Haberdashers won the toss and decided to bat in the hot
conditions. Reed stuck well to their task in the heat. All the
bowlers did a superb job and were well supported by some good ground
fielding. Peter Tidey was the star with the ball. He bowled a mammoth
spell of 27 overs. Conceding just over 3 an over and taking 3
wickets. He was well support by Martin Seale and Peter Costen. They
all kept the Old Haberdashers batsmen under the cosh and none of them
really looked like breaking the shackles. In the end Old Haberdashers
posted Reed 174 to win.
Reed soon lost the early wicket of Jamie Warren, with just 8 in
the board. Baz Curtis soon followed, and soon Reed were in big
trouble at 28-4 in the 11 overs. Peter Morely and Jason Nolan slowly
but surely started to rebuild. They had put on 34 when Nolan tried
one crashing drive too many and was well caught at mid off for 25.
Peter Morely continued to be the back bone of the innings and was now
joined by Simon Jackson. Morely started to come out of his shell and
was scoring freely when he was also caught for 42. Reed were now
115-6 with just 11 overs to go. 8 runs later Jackson was dismissed
for 26. This seemed to be the pattern. As they looked set the Reed
batsmen got out. Martin Seale and Peter Costen smashed quick 28 in
just 5 overs to put Reed up with the clock, but Costen was well
caught and wickets were running out. Reed were 157-9 and so needed 17
to win in and 24 balls to get them. In came number 11 Peter Tidey.
This was not a good time for Reed supports to try and give up biting
their nails as a win was vital in their relegation battle. Tidey then
proceeded to send the ball to the boundary 4 times in the next 2
overs. The final boundary sealed victory for Reed by 1 wicket and 30
vital points in the process. Tidey was left 21 not out with Martin
Seale 24 not out. A nail biting victory.
