Steeple Morden again proved to be Red’s bogey side. Reed were put
into bat and were quickly 8-3 with both openers out without scoring.
Graham Hazard smashed a quick 22 before becoming Osbourne’s third
victim, but the visitor were still reeling at 44-5. Ian Fulk and
Simon Roberts added 28 for the 6th wicket, but Fulk was removed for
13 and Reed were in deep trouble at 72-6. Roberts was the 8th man out
for 24 when the score had reached 111. This was the cue for Duncan
Price to smash 4, fours before being stumped for 16 off Terry Mack.
Mack took 3-50. Peter Costen didn’t give up the fight and he hit 4,
fours and 2, sixes to help Reed to 141 all out.
Steeple Morden made a solid start with Armitage and Jarman putting
on 58 for the first wicket. Divers managed to removed Armitage for
40. He again struck 5 runs later bowling Jarman for 14. Steeple
managed to get to within 33 runs of victory before an England type
collapse occurred. Peter Costen turned to some flight and gail. He
removed both Holt and Dix with the score on 109, and the removed
danger man Gary Mack with a beauty for 43. Suddenly at 118-6 it was
game on again. Osbourne came in a smashed Costen for 10 before Costen
got his revenge and bowled him to claim his fifth victim. Peter Tidey
arrived and showed no pity on his Saturday team mates hitting a quick
7, but was run out with just 2 runs needed. Reed battled to the
death, but in the end Dix hit a boundary to secure a 2 wicket win for
the home side.