Reed decided to put Redbourn into bat on a green and damp wicket
after winning the toss in their latest league match. When John
Pemberton bowled Eyre with the score on 6 it looked liked a good
decision, but Redbourn then put on 103 for the second wicket and by
then the dampness had dried. Both Peter Tidey and Pemberton bowled
well conceding less than 4 an over in their spells. It was left to
Martin Seale and Ian Roberts to do the bulk of the bowling. Seale
picked up 1-51 in his 14 overs and Roberts 0-54 in twelve. With
Graham Letford also picking up a wicket and two run outs Redbourn
posted 211-5. It wasn’t that bigger a total given a short boundary on
one side.
In reply Reed were quickly 17-2 and that soon became 36-3 with the top three all back in the pavilion. Reed were 47-4 in the 18th over and still needed 165 to win in 31 overs. Then Simon Roberts and Martin Seale came together. They put on 77 for the 5th wicket. Both looked in good form. Roberts hit 2 4s and 1 6 in his 48. They pushed the score along nicely and Reed looked like they could win it. Roberts was well caught at extra cover for 48. Reed were then 124-5 with 13 overs to go. The run rate then dropped and with Pemberton and Tidey getting ducks any chance of victory had gone. At 144-7 it was just a matter of hanging on for a draw. Chris Bovington made 14 with Seale still going well at the other end. Reed lost there 9th wicket with 3 balls to go. It was left to Ian Roberts to block out those balls for a draw. Martin Seale was left 74 not out, his highest league score this season. He hit 6 4s and 1 huge six in that 74.
