Saturday saw Reed lose by 5 wickets to Dunstable on a blustery afternoon at Dunstable.
Having lost the toss, Reed were put into bat, and the decision looked to backfire initially as Baz Curtis took their attack to the sword, slashing a quickfire 41 off only 28 balls, but L Cherry (7-0-40-1) had his revenge as he had Curtis caught at square leg with a hustling bouncer.
With Reed on 60 for 1 wicket after only 10 overs, the signs looked good. James Heslam (55) was also beginning to master some of the bowling, but he could not be supported by Phil Frenay (7), Joe Curk (10) and Richard Johnson (2), all victims of A Wilson (10-3-40-3). The pressure had been reversed onto Reed who were on 91 for 4. Simon Jackson (6) in his usual consistent middle order role was unable to add many runs, despite occupying the crease, as he was eventually unlucky to be given out LBW to S Cherry (11.3-2-24-4). On 105 for 5, the prospect of increasing the total looked bleak, as the weather became even more challenging. William Clarke (29) occupied some time with James Heslam as they advanced the score to 142 with some confident drive strokes and punishment of the poor deliveries. But James Heslam mishit a stroke over midwicket to be caught on the boundary after passing his half century in what was a patient and responsible innings of aggression and deft touches. Clarke continued to occupy the crease with the tail, but Andy Young (1) and Lee Johnson (6) could not muster a strong resistance, and they eventually fell to S Cherry and S Watts (22-2-60-2) who bowled consistently throughout the innings.
Reed were eventually dismissed for a battling, yet disappointing 164 off 50.3 overs.
Dunstable’s reply began with a degree of urgency as Moody (33) and Keogh (25) slashed Reed’s pace bowlers for runs as they raced to 55 off 11 overs. It was a change of ends from Lee Johnson (5-0-42-1) that broke the partnership, as Keogh edged behind to wicket keeper Simon Jackson. Moody continued but was eventually trapped on his back leg by Bernie Morss (14.2-3-43-4). Morss teamed up with Peter Tidey (9-1-26-0) at the other end, and together they built pressure that gleaned three further wickets for Morss as Simon Jackson completed a sharp stumping, another close catch standing up to the stumps and Richard Johnson plucked an outstanding one handed catch at mid on. But S Cherry had already built an innings of 34, and S Watts (40*) played a sensible and measured innings to see the hosts home with 5 wickets to spare in 37.2 overs.
A disappointed Reed are due to face Letchworth away the following week.
James Heslam, 1XI skipper, commented “It was a shame that we couldn’t get enough runs. Bowling conditions later in the day were difficult in the stiff wind, but Bernie Morss in particular bowled superbly – we will be focusing on partnership building over the coming days”
