Put in to bat by Reed on a dry but rather less warm evening on a good batting pitch and fast outfield, Bishops Stortford got off to a marvellous start with 41-0 on the board after 5 overs as some wayward Reed bowling was suitably punished. The introduction of Ollie Benham (4 overs 2-20) into the Reed attack stabilised the run rate a little but Kightly 48 and Roach 27 were particularly punishing on anything loose. Lewis Fitzgerald (4 overs 1-22) and Will Heslam (4 Overs 2-28) bowled acceptably but overall the Reed offering leaked 34 extras as Bishops Stortford accrued a sizeable 140 – 6 from their 20 overs.
Reeds reply got off to a bad start with the previously prolific Benham and Heslam removed for 0 and 10 respectively both dismissed by the impressive Brady 3 overs 2-2. Reeds fightback was led by skipper Sean Tidey until he was needlessly run out for 17, and then the impressive and hard hitting Sam Deville took the attack to BS until he was compelled to retire on 50* in the 16th over. Hunter Diack 11 proved an admirable partner to Deville but with 44 needed off the last 4 overs Reeds task was too daunting and several wickets fell in the frantic run chase. Scot Caine 12* struck some lusty blows late on to take Reed to a 6th batting point but the BS bowling and fielding was overall much tidier and less generous than Reeds and the BS total of 17 extras (half the 34 conceded by Reed) proved the difference as Reed fell 16 runs short of the required total.
A good competitive game played in a generous and exemplary spirit.
