Reed travelled to table toppers Cockfosters looking to add to their previous convincing win the week earlier. Having lost the toss, Reed were put into a bat on a wicket that looked flat but was still holding some moisture from the morning rain. Mckechnie soon got into the Cockfoster’s bowling, punishing anything short of a length. Reed were unfortunate to lose Jackson with the score on 52, adjudged LBW despite the ball missing his pad.
However, Reed pressed hard and continued to move the ball around the park with ease, and the first of many expansive shots of the day commenced. Ward (29) batted convincingly well, and Reed looked in a strong position to build a big total. However, two runs short of his fifty, Mckechnie was adjudged LBW. This brought Tom Greaves to the crease, who showed no signs of the effects of no sleep, and ruthlessly punished anything short and full in an excellent inning of 86.
Ably supported by Jack Tidey (30), Reed pushed past the 200 mark before Jack was adjudged LBW. Looking to see out the overs and build a respectable target, it was down to skipper Heslam to see Reed into their final overs. Manoeuvring the ball well along with Chris Peckett, Heslam couldn’t see the innings through undefeated, and was out in the final over LBW to M Sayers with Reed on 235.
In response, Cockfosters lost the early wicket of Reid, bowled by paceman Lee Johnson. This brought Sayers to the crease, who along with O’Leary smashed anything straight, short, full and wide, making optimum use of the short boundary. Some very attacking batting, coupled with some short bowling saw Cockfosters race away. A number of bowling changes in attempt to stop the onslaught did buy the wicket of O’Leary, however Sayers continued the big hitting and marked up an excellent 117 in just 72 balls, putting the game beyond Reed.
Wickets were picked up between, but the attacking Cockfosters batsman knocked off the total with five wickets down, with Reed picking up 15 points in the process. Cockfosters clearly play to their strengths, and with a strong attacking batting line-up they will no doubt be promoted if they get the opportunity to chase each week. However, win the toss and put them in, restrict them to a manageable total and it will be a different scenario.
Five games in, we can take a lot of positives out of the start of the season. As an exceptionally young side, and having 3 U/18’s already making their first team debut this season, the future is looking bright all round.
Cockfosters Score Card
