Baldock

Baker wanted to put pressure on the batsmen from the first over so asked under 13 Owen Hughes and Freddy Stuart to open the bowling, the plan to take pace completely off the ball, whilst giving no width and have the visitors make mistakes. This proved successful as Freddy Stuart had a catch taken off his bowling in the second over. This was followed soon after with Owen Hughes hitting the top of off. The same tactics were used for first change bowlers Reece Fitzgerald and Jack Childs, Fitzgerald replacing the very impressive Owen Hughes (4-0-13-1) and Childs replacing Stuart (4-0-31-1).

Both bowled well to R. Rayat and J. Muir but Baldocks 3 and 4 did not look like getting out and although by drinks they had not reached 100 things could still have gone either way in the second half of the innings. Baker brought himself on replacing Childs (6-0-27-0) and made the breakthrough again in his first over, thanks to a brilliant catch by Freddy Stuart running in from square leg. Baker would continue to torment the opposition batsmen, his leg spin was just unplayable but somehow would not be rewarded again. Meanwhile, with Fitzgerald finishing his full 8 overs for just 27, Peter Baker came on for a solitary over in which he clean bowled Gazely. P. Baker was replaced in the final overs by Rhodri Hughes and M.J.E. Baker by Graeme Stuart. Rhodri bowled a fantastically floated spell taking 3 for 21 thanks to catches from Freddy Stuart, Tom Walsingham and Kallum Ward. Graeme Stuart also chipped in taking the wicket of the dangerous A. Jones.

Baldocks final score of 184 for 8 (with one player absent) was competitive considering the number of young colts in their side. Reeds young unit had also done well in the heat to keep focus to hang on to some good catches and stop more runs coming off the bat, with special mention to Freddy Stuart, Owen Hughes and Chris West with the gloves.

Opening the second innings for Reed was a blend of veteran experience in the form of Peter Baker and the youthful energy and determination of Reece Fitzgerald. For Baldock however, their young boys lacked the same consistency as Reed. The hosts were quickly in the runs with Baker and Fitzgerald both showing that this really was a 250 wicket. After 10 overs they were going at 6.4 an over and reached 100 in the 17th. Baker took the lead with some lusty blows making 68 before retiring. Fitzgerald continued having played classy shots throughout his innings but was bowled on 43 just 7 away from a deserved 50. It was left to Kallum Ward and Tom Walsingham to get Reed over the finishing line with 9 overs remaining both undefeated on 26. Reed winning by 8 wickets.