Preston won the toss and decided to bat against old foes, Reed. It
turned out to be a big mistake. They came across Simon Roberts and
Peter Costen in rampant form. Roberts removed both openers before
they had reach double figures and then Costen took over and ripped
through the Preston middle order. Roberts took 2-26 from 11 overs and
Costen 5-39 in 18. Preston were 54-7 before Burleigh came in a hit a
stubborn 29. Phil Divers replaced Roberts and picked up 2 vital
wickets including Cole for 25. He was superbly caught by Richard
Tufton. Preston were 82-9, but Reed just couldn’t get that last
wicket. In the end it took a run out, but not before Burleigh and
Moore had put on 47 for the 10th wicket. Reed were set an easy
looking 130 to win.
It looked even easier when Baz Curtis smashed 31 from just 4
overs, but he went with the score on 36. Reed suddenly found
themselves 59-4, but Graham Hazard and Simon Roberts steadied the
Reed nerves. Hazard hit 23 the only way he knows how and Roberts and
confident 29. Both went with victory in sight. It was left to Richard
Robertson with 14 not out and bowling hero Costen, with 10 not out to
see Reed to a 4 wicket win.
