Reeds Second eleven withstood the scorching heat to restrict Bentley Heath in their pre-season friendly.
The Host’s captain clearly had misplaced faith in his batsmen as Reed set about their work under the command of Pete Tidey. Lewis Fitzgerald (5.3-1-26-3) started off with good pace and line and a sharp catch from keeper Marcus J.E. Baker from the fourth ball of the innings made the early breakthrough. Returning in his second over Fitzgerald then bowled a perfectly delivered slower ball, pitched fuller, decimating the wicket. He would go on to take a third thanks to an extremely tough catch from Richard Johnson. Meanwhile, opening at the pavilion end of the charming ground was Under 15 Tom Walshingham who also impressed and returned figures of 7 over, 4 maidens, no wickets for only 5 runs.
First change bowlers Rupert Martin (6-0-14-0) and Chris Peckett (6-1-22-2) continued in the same form, with Peckett claiming two wickets thanks to good catches from George Garrott and T. Walshingham. Second eleven spinner Matt Bowles (5-0-7-3) was then introduced and always looked like taking a wicket; he came away with three. His first, a perfectly flighted delivery drew in Dunnett who lobbed it out to G. Garrott who took his second good catch. Bowles’s second and third were bowled and L.B.W. respectively. Pete Tidey (4-1-5-1) also got in on the act taking a fantastic catch off his own bowling, before a run out orchestrated between T. Walshingham and L. Fitzgerald took care of the final wicket with Bentley Heath all out for just 100 runs.
Aiden Swain and Will Heslam made a strong start in the second innings making a partnership of 52 in eleven overs. Swain had characteristically been displaying the pull shot with great success before he was out L.B.W. for 17. Whilst Heslam played some fantastic shots notching up 6 fours and a six in his score of 42. Matt Bowles and Richard Johnson then finished off the chase with just under 20 overs to spare. A convincing victory that shows great promise for the coming league season.
