With just two games remaining, two more victories are essential for Reed’s fourth eleven to get promoted into Division 12. The first of those two games was away at Datchworth, unfortunately not playing on the picturesque main ground but there recently laid second ground situated behind the main ground which suffered from heavy gusts of wind blowing across the square.
The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision they would be made to rue as Reed’s bowling talent ripped through their order. Lewis Fitzgerald in his opening spell took care of the potentially dangerous top order bowling two and getting a third LBW, he would return to take a fourth wicket in his second spell finishing with figures of 4 for 34. Christian Martin then took care of the middle order in his spell of 14 overs, finding form as he finished with 4 for 39. James Hooper proved economical finishing his 6 overs for only 9 runs as well as taking care of the heavy hitting Ansell (15) nick named ‘slogger’. Alan Ward needed only to bowl a single delivery to take the final wicket thanks to a tidy stumping from Marcus J.E. Baker who had also taken two good catches. Datchworth finished on 91 all out from only 30 overs. Reed once again displayed some brilliant fielding especially from Paul Garrott who also took a good catch.
Paul Garrott and Peter Baker saw no need to rush themselves in chasing down the low total, Peter Baker leading the response with 38. The job was done with only two wickets lost, Paul Garrott finishing on 46 not out which now returns his average to the high nineties.
Reed now just have one final game, a game in which a lot rides.
