Reeds Sunday seconds had a good excursion to Bengeo in a friendly match with a very favourable outcome.
Winning the toss captain Peter Baker decided to bat first under the advice of opener Tom Greaves who described the pitch as a ‘batsmen’s dream’. Greaves and Baker went about proving that point as the pair made a fantastic partnership of 114 and a strong base for the team’s innings. Baker (32), playing the supporting part, missed a straight one trying to up his own score in the 22 over. Number 3 Michael Robertson, still happy with his performance from the day before, hit a hard 16 in his usual form before being caught. Greaves however, remained at the crease and played a very professional innings keeping the straight ones out and punishing the bad balls. Eventually joined by Marcus J.E. Baker in the 32 over, Greaves continued to on his way to his century hitting 13 fours and 2 sixes, retiring on 101. Baker (22), getting caught on the boundary trying for a maximum, and Mitchell Cooper (22) added their own runs to the total of 242 for 5 from 40 overs in what was an impressive team batting performance.
The Bengeo side was clearly younger and less experienced and struggled to make any head way. Adamson (5-0-31-3) and West (4-0-15-2) were the only ones to pick up wickets from the eight bowlers.
Reeds defence started well with opening bowler Neil Haslam (7-3-9-2) trapping captain Seeley lbw in the first over. The Bengeo chase continued with the same little luck as no one seemed able to put runs onto the total as the wickets fell at steady intervals. David Hill (7-3-15-1) was finally able to find the wicket that had eluded him in his last few games. Julian Finn (7-1-33-2) and Cooper (4-0-11-3) took out the bulk of the opposition with some good line and pace. Only Keeteriage (51) got runs for Bengeo until he knocked one straight up for wicket keeper M.J.E. Baker. Jack Tidey finally ran out Lawrence (5) to end the game with the host’s 117 runs shy of their target.
The Reed side had simply outplayed Bengeo in a game that everyone had performed well in showing promise for the future.
