Victory was just out of Reeds grasp in this thrilling game played against Bentley Heath at the Freman College Ground. Skipper Alan Ward won the toss and elected to bat first. Missing the usual openers and prolific scorers in Paul and George Garrott, John Kershaw and Marcus J.E. Baker did their best to fill their shoes, however Kershaw (4) fell victim to a good catch at point. Peter Bradford scored 10 but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals and Reed looked in real trouble.
But things could have been a lot worse if it were not for Baker who played an essential innings and made a partnership of 100 when he was joined by Ian Roberts (37). Finding the boundary with ease Baker struck some class drives and pull shots to frustrate the opposition captain and to punish the bowlers taking them for close to twenty runs in an over on several occasions. He brought up his 50 in just 36 balls and reached three figures in only 62 hitting 21 fours and 3 sixes damaging not only the bowler’s figures but the windows of the pavilion.
But when Herbert (4.2-0-19-3) let go of a lose one Bakers eyes lit up but only connected with the side of his bat and was eventually out caught for 113 leaving Reed on 188 for 6 from only 24 overs. Nick Green scored 12 but Reed were all out for 227 in only 30 overs leaving the opposition 60 overs to chase it down.
Things got even worse for Reed in the second innings when they lost the experience of their main wicket taker Roberts when he was forced to leave the field due to a nasty injury. Dominic McOmish held on to a good catch in the gully off of Green (2-0-15-1) to remove Jones (11) and the potentially dangerous Shill (22) was out bowled leaving Bentley 2 down and so it remained for most of their reply as they slowly made their way to the target. But then Ward (4.3-0-23-1) had C. Collis (42) out LBW beginning a fantastic come back led by Christian Martin (22-3-86-4) as Reed fought for every wicket doing well in the field by cutting off the runs. Bentley were starting to struggle reaching what should have been an easy target and Reed sensed an upset. Some fantastic death bowling by Lewis Fitzgerald (11-1-63-3) in his second spell meant that Reed found themselves needing one wicket and Bentley two runs in the 55th over. Despite a valiant effort the fairy tale did not come true as Bentley Heath won by one wicket. Reed in reality lost the game when they were all out leaving the surplus overs but nonetheless they should be proud of the fight they gave as they came away with 19 points and remain in fourth position.
