This was a vital game for both teams. Both are in a relegation dog
fight at the base of Herts Division 2. Parkfield won the toss and
decided to bat. A good decision in the hot conditions. Reed’s bowlers
toiled away, but with no success. Ian Roberts particularly unlucky
not to find a way through, but as things went against Reed the ground
fielding worsened with some catches going to ground. The home side
had 160 on the board before Simon Roberts made the break through.
Andrew Emms came back and removed Ovesley for 114 with the score on
213. The home side declared 9 runs later and giving Reed an extra 4
overs to get 223.
Reed were quickly 28-2, but importantly Mark Peart looked in good
nick. Reed fell foul of some awful LBW decisions, but battled on and
had reached 100-5 and were well up with the run rate. A home victory
looked on the cards when Peart, who hadn’t given a chance, was run
out on 49. The score was 124-6, but that soon became 124-7 and a
victory looked out of the question for Reed. Simon Roberts and Andrew
Emms had other ideas. They both started cautiously, but upped the
tempo and put on 64 for the 8th wicket. Emms was bowled for a
spirited 25. Just 5 runs later Roberts was removed, again LBW, for 34
and it was now left to Ian Roberts and Steve Dunn to see Reed to the
draw. They saw out the last 6 overs with no alarms and the game ended
a draw.
