Reed entertained local rivals Baldock at ‘The green’ on Sunday in the North Herts League. Despite the wet weather, Reed’s well renowned good pitch meant that a game was possible.
Baldock won the toss and skipper, and ex Reed player, Graham Letford elected to bat. Due to the dampness of the pitch, Reed captain Marcus Martin chose to open the bowling with spinner Ed Garrott and in-form seem bowler Karl Ward. However, the wet ball was proving difficult for the bowlers, and Baldock’s opening batsmen Taylor and Furness took full advantage of this by accelerating the score to 40 after 7 Overs. The game then fell victim of a heavy downpour, and play was halted for half an hour. 5 Overs per innings were lost, meaning the game was now 35 Overs per side.
When play resumed, Reed brought on Jason Archer and Rupert Martin in order to bring about a change in luck. This move worked almost straight away when R Martin had Taylor caught superbly at gully by Archer. Archer then followed up his heroics in the field by bowling Furness, and then skipper Letford an Over later. R Cant and N Blenkin then set about steadying the ship for Baldock, with Cant looking especially solid. The pair moved Baldock’s score on slowly but steadily, before the re-introduction of Ward accounted for the wicket of Blenkin, caught behind by keeper Graham Hazard for 6. Some unconventional batting from Rayat and the continued good batting from Cant meant the Baldock total increased towards 100. Rayat was then the victim of a second stunning catch from Archer, this time off the bowling of captain Marcus Martin, who also had Cant caught by Ed Garrott for a good 43 late on. Mongston and Jones were then both Run Out late on, with Baldock finishing their 35 Overs on 128-8.
In reply Reed sent out youngster Fergus Martin and Matt Bowles to open their innings and set about chasing the Baldock total. With the pitch still damp, and the Baldock opening bowling from seemer Jones and leg spinner Letford good, Reed made a cautious start. They reached 28 after 11 Overs when Martin was trapped LBW by change bowler Diplock. This brought Marcus Martin to the crease, but it was remaining opener Bowles who seized the impetus and began to free his arms. Bowles hit two big straight 6’s and four 4’s as he raced towards 50. Reed’s total moved onto 78, when Bowles finally holed out after a good catch in the extra cover region for a well made 55. This brought Michael Robertson to the crease, and he along with skipper Martin took Reed home with both batsmen playing some classy shots, including another sizable 6, this time from Robertson. Both Batsmen finished on 28 Not Out, as Reed eased home on 130-2 with nearly 10 Overs to spare.
Reed won by 8 wickets. Captain Marcus Martin commented: “I am obviously very pleased at the result, and also with the performance, especially as I expect most games would be rained off today. Jason Archer bowled very well, and was well supported by all the bowlers and the fielders. Then Matt (Bowles) batted well, and it was nice for myself and Michael (Robertson) to knock the remaining runs off to get the victory. YAH!”.
