Reed 1st XI hosted a pre-season local derby on Saturday against Buntingford, and began their preparations for the National Village Cup match the following day, and the imminent beginning to the League season well as they strangled Buntingford to an 87 run victory in a 45 over aside match.
On a glorious spring day, Reed elected to bat on an unusually dry wicket after winning the toss. Baz Curtis (47) and James Heslam (84) got Reed off to a scintillating start with a 151 run partnership with Buntingford desperate for a wicket from somewhere. When the pair were finally dismissed by Pearce (9-0-36-2) in quick succession, Chris Jackson (18) and Tom Fulk (23) took over the reins, but Chris Chambers (8-1-35-4) stopped them in their tracks by making a double strike, followed swiftly by bowling Marcus Martin for a duck. It was left to Simon Jackson, Reed’s ex-1XI skipper, to lead a measured, mature and energetic innings of 21, with late support from William Clarke (10) and Dale Shepherd (2*) to haul the score to 246 for 8 off 45 overs.
Buntingford’s reply began slowly and poorly, as Jim Allsopp (9-1-22-2) removed M Cootes (8) and J Clements (12) cheaply, and when Shepherd (9-1-20-1) bowled C Ford (11), Buntingford were reeling. However, the ship was stabilised by Richard Pearce (48) and Chris Chamber (26), who although batted steadily, were unable to raise the run rate to the level required at any point. When probing bowling from William Clarke (8-1-29-1) removed Chambers, and Ed Garrott (10-0-48-2) had Pearce stumped by Simon Jackson, the run chase completely fizzled out, leaving them well short of the required total.
James Heslam, who has succeeded Simon Jackson as 1st XI captain, commented after the game: “We always enjoy playing against teams close to us, and although this was a friendly, it provided an excellent foundation ahead of our National Village Cup and League season games. I was encouraged by the fact we posted a competitive total and contained Buntingford well later in the game.”
Reed are due to face Biddenham on Sunday 29th away in their first Village Cup match, and Old Albanian away in their first league game on May 5th.
