Reed II versus Barley at Reed on Sunday 26th April 2009. This was the first fixture between teams representing close neighbours Reed and Barley for several seasons. Barley used this friendly for their first team to gain some pre-league match practice whilst Reed fielded many of their junior players so it was not surprising that Barley won the match even though Reed were by no means disgraced. Barley batted first and with opening batsman J Walters leading the way with 68 they reached 225 for 6 in 40 overs. Brian Symes, (34), Wallace, (47) and Gurnell (24 not out) contributed runs down the order on a perfect batting pitch. There were wickets each for Reed’s Chris West, Matt Giblin and Neil Haslam whilst Richie Barlow took 3 for 46 supported by some fine fielding and catching.
The Reed reply started well enough until Will Heslam was caught for 10. George Greaves, (20), joined captain Peter Baker, (31), as they progressed the score to 70. By this time, Richie Barlow was showing his all-round qualities and was supported successively by Richard Robertson, (12), Marcus Baker, (15), and Kallum Ward, (15 not out), as Reed II took the attack to Barley. Realistically, Reed were always behind the required run-rate, nevertheless ending on 185 for 6 was a competent batting display against a useful Barley bowling attack for whom Wallace and Gurnell took 2 wickets each. Barlow scored 8 fours and ended undefeated on 54. Barley won by 40 runs
