Reed maintained a strong hold on third spot in the division with an emphatic win against Flamstead II last Saturday. With Maseeh Naeem losing the toss Flamstead II’s chose to bat which, given the nature of the wicket, was just as well. Rupert Martin and Karl Ward opened the bowling and were soon amongst the opposition with a wicket a piece as Flamstead slumped to 9-2 – two well executed catches; one for Julian Fynn and one from specialist slip fielder Ian Fulk.
One further wicket a piece for the openers reduced the opposition to 34-4 before Flamstead staged a mini recovery. The ever dependent Jason Archer was then introduced as D. Watson began to look to significantly increase the Flamstead run total. Promptly clean bowled by Archer’s third delivery the writing was on the wall at 60 for 6. With Martin (11-4-44-3) and Ward (11-2-28-3)adding to their wicket totals it was Archer who cleaned up the tail to finish with Man of the Match figures of 4.5-1-10-4. Julian Fynn (5-2-6-0) was the only other bowler used as Flamstead set Reed 98 runs to win.
The opening partnership of Ben Bowles and Richard Barlow saw Reed off to a steady start before Bowles played onto his stumps in the fifth over (10-1). Ian Fulk coming in at no. 3 started well and it looked as if no further batsmen would be required until Barlow also played onto his own wicket. Fergus Martin joined Fulk in the middle with both players setting about the opposition bowling with some superb shots. Ian Fulk (35 not out) and Fergus Martin (32 not out) saw Reed home in the 27th over by an 8 wicket margin. Reed now look forward to a third/ fourth place clash at home next weekend against Hatfield Crusaders.
