Reed’s Sunday seconds racked up their fifth consecutive victory by bowling out Aston on the last evening of May. Peter Baker won the toss and decided to bat and after an early upset the Reed total started to tick by rapidly. George Greaves, yet again impressing with the bat and Marcus Martin, vacationing in the seconds, found little trouble in the host’s bowling as they put on 107 together for the second wicket which fell when Greaves (51) missed a straight one.
Martin continued regardless and passing his fifty contributed to another partnership, this time with Matt Bowles (35) who played some fantastic shots to antagonise Aston. However, a reoccurring injury interfered with Bowles’s innings and he retired hurt. Martin could not quite reach his century as he was run out for a marvellous 94. A flurry of runs from the hard hitting Phil Frenay (45 not out) and James Bloor (12) ended Reeds innings of 294 for 5 from 40 overs.
Aston never had a real chance in their innings thanks mostly to the Reed bowling talent who kept a tight line. Christian Martin (7-0-19-2) picked up some much deserved wickets, as did Chris West (7-0-26-1), James Bloor (6-0-29-1) and Peter Baker (0.3-0-2-1). But it was yet another dominating spell of bowling from Jack Tidey (6-0-28-5) who tore through the opposition order. Impressive catches from P. Frenay, G. Greaves, Ed Blissett and a tidy stumping from Marcus J.E. Baker had the players soon enough returning to the pavilion as Aston loss their tenth wicket in the 27th over for 107 losing by 187 runs.
