Reed’s 2nd XI kicked off their 2010 season with a friendly at newly promoted Bentley Heath. Reed won the toss and decided to bowl first. Despite 2 maidens in the first 2 overs it soon looked like a bad decision. Reed’s opening attack were going at 6 an over before Jason Archer struck to remove Mohammed for a brisk 26. A missed chance to remove the new batsman Michael Hubbard was the turning point of the match. He along with Frances put on 60 in just 8 overs before Archer struck again, removing Frances for 67. He finished his spell with 2-52.
Hubbard was in full flow by now and was dispatching the ball to all parts. At the halfway stage Bentley Heath were 137-2. After drinks Reed started to fight back with Christian Martin, 3-67, Jason Pallett with 2-80 taking the remaining wickets to fall. Hubbard retired on 114 and Bentley Heath ended on 261-7.
Reed’s reply with opener Baz Curtis and WIlliam Heslam got off to a slow start scoring just 18 from the first 7 overs. Curtis then hit Dunnett for 22 in an over and then the run rate increased. Heslam went for 4 with the score on 57. Peter Baker joined Curtis and tried to up the run rate further. Baker went for 10 with the score on 98. Curtis finally fell for 104 with Reed 126-3.
Steve Lovegrove and Julian Fynn had one final push for an unlikely victory, but when Fynn went for a quick fire 38 any chance Reed had was gone. Lovegrove ended 28 not out and Reed 232-7.
A 29 run victory for Bentley Heath.
