Reed slipped to third in Division 2 of the Saracen’s Herts League on Saturday after narrowly missing out on a victory against top-of-the-table Berkhamsted away.
With skipper James Heslam returning from tropical climes, the game was finally blessed with similar weather as it finally felt like the cricket season. Searching for victory, Reed elected to bowl despite missing vice captain Andrew Young due to holiday.
Reed opened tightly as Peter Tidey (16-6-55-2) began by pegging their openers B Langley (36) and N Seagrabe (18) in tandem with Graham Wilson (10-1-44-0). But 8 overs in, the skipper made a controversial move by removing the dependable Wilson from the attack and bowling Tidey in conjunction with William Clarke (17-4-40-3). It paid off as the pair tightened runs even more, and Clarke eventually made the early breakthrough having Seagrabe caught behind with a sharp chance by keeper Simon Jackson. The batsman was clearly disappointed with his decision, as the bat was sent skyward in the same manner as a Scottish cabre at a highland games. With Tidey then quickly removing no 3 S Hardy (6) thanks to a sharp catch by William Clarke at mid on, the momentum lay with Reed.
When an under the weather B Hughes began opening his shoulders, the situation looked as though Berkhamsted were taking control until Clarke struck again removing Hughes, and new bowler Richard Johnson (10-1-32-1) removed the obdurate Langley together with his off stump. Clarke then followed up with the wicket of Herring (3) and 2 run outs ensued, the highlight a direct hit by James Heslam. Johnson claimed the difficult wicket of P Langley (30), but with I Cambill (28) and L Roberts (7) remaining at the crease, Berkhamsted managed to sustain a score of 194 for 8 off their 53 overs, with Reed losing an over to chase due to a slow over-rate.
After a delicious tea, Reed began their chase with vigour, Baz Curtis (11) starting strongly against the accurate and prolific inswing bowler L Roberts (23-6-65-5), but he eventually fell to his Darren Gough inswinging yorker, Heslam falling for 1 LBW shortly thereafter.
This gave Tom Fulk (45) and Chris Jackson (82) the chance to consolidate as the pair dragged Reed to 104 for 2 from 27 overs. The pair took control with some sensible but brutal strokes through the covers. Reed looked to be in an authoritative position until Roberts made a double strike bringing Phil Frenay (0) and Marcus Martin (1) to the crease. On the back of his maiden half century for Reed 1XI League team, Martin was unlucky to be given out LBW to a rising delivery, and in almost identical fashion, Frenay soon followed, LBW to a ball that left a noticeable bruise on the 6 ft 4 inch batsman’s hip bone.
Reed were reeling on118 for 5, and the run rate grew consitently pressuring Simon Jackson (3) and Richard Johnson (12) to maintain a run rate particularly against Roberts who was in full swing. It proved too much as Herring (7-0-21-2) removed the pair, and it was left finally to Clarke (10*) and Graham Wilson (2*) to see the score to 179 for 8 off 46 overs, leaving both teams rueing the extra over lost.
Berkhamsted left with a healthy points score, and Reed less so, despite being in a domineering position with true winning potential. James Heslam commented: “This was a big game for both teams, and we were disappointed to have not won and coming so close. I guess Berko felt the same, but unfortunately on the day it just didn’t come good for us. I was very pleased with our bowling and fielding though”
