Reed 1st XI travelled to Harpenden II’s last Saturday on a hot and humid summer’s day. Reed won the toss and elected to bat on what appeared to be a hard and true pitch. Reed had revised their batting order slightly for this game, with Richard Johnson accompanying the in form James Heslam at the top of the order. Unfortunately this had little affect as R Johnson was bowled for 2. This brought Chris Jackson to the crease, hoping to prolong his recent run of good form. However he did not last long as he was run out comfortably having slipped over, also for 2.
Tom Greaves was next in and he and Heslam set about stabilising the innings. Greaves, having survived a blow to the helmet from his first delivery, was the aggressor. He played a number of thumping drives down the ground and classy flicks over square leg. He was ably supported by Heslam who took the more cautious approach. Having put on 93 for the 3rd wicket and both registered there half centuries, Reed suffered a double with both Greaves and Heslam going in quick succession.
Greaves was caught at mid-wicket, pulling, for 56 and Heslam was caught behind for 51. This sparked a spectacular batting collapse which resulted in the last 8 wickets falling for just 40 runs. First to go was Phil Frenay who misjudged an inswinging full toss and was given out LBW for 0. Ed Garrott was soon to follow, caught behind for 3. Si Jackson offered some resistance facing 35 balls for his 9 before being run out, with same fate happening to Lee Johnson, out for 1. Kallum Ward on his 1st team debut made a decent 9 and when Bernie Morss was adjudged LBW for 0, leaving Andy Young 7 not out, the innings came to a close on 156.
Reed would need to utilise any swing the new ball offered if they were to make it difficult for the Harpenden batsmen chasing this modest total. Debutant K Ward (5-0-27-1) took the new ball, hoping to shape it away from the right hander, he removed one of the openers when the score was at 23. L. Johnson (6-2-25-0) his opening partner bowled with great heart and was unfortunate to finish his spell wicketless.
It was left to the reliable pairing of Young (8-041-1) and Morss (12-3-27-2) to try and bowl Reed back into the game. Despite both bowlers performing well decent batting partnerships were allowed to form and the wickets that were taken were too little too late. With lightning and dark cloud all around, Harpenden II’s reached their total of 156 for the loss of just 5 wickets. Reed will be bitterly disappointed with this performance; however it does highlight the team’s frailties with the batting generally being very reliant on just 2 batsmen and the bowling lacking penetration. Reed will certainly hope to improve on this performance as they travel to Luton Town and Indians next Saturday.
