Reed went down away to Ickleford on Sunday after the home side amassed a large total thanks mainly to a faultless century from Ickleford (not so) regular and Hitchin 1st team captain Millward.
Losing the toss, Marcus Martin’s side were put into the field and straight way the task ahead of them looked a tough one, with their young and inexperienced bowling attack being put to the sword by openers Robinson (45) and Millward, in one of his rare appearances for Ickleford.. The pair took the score to beyond 100 inside 17 Overs, and did so without looking troubled by any bowler. Reed then introduced youngster Fergus Martin into the attack, and his 1st ball brought instant rewards, as he had Robinson well caught by Robertson at square leg.
Giggle then joined Millward, who had begun to free his arms and plunder boundaries at will. A 40 run partnership ensued, and captain Martin had run out of options having tried all of his regular bowlers on the field. A cometh the hour, cometh the man moment was needed, and Matt Bowles duly obliged. Bowles, bowling for the 1st time on over a year, mixed up leg and off spin in the style of Sachin Tendulker, and was rewarded when Giggles was deceived by the flight and gave Ward a straightforward catch at mid off. However Millward remained, and completed and excellent century, alongside the fast scoring Jenner (55), who was later run out. Millward finished 116 Not Out, and Ickleford were 250-3 off of 40 Overs.
In reply, Reed got off to a disastrous start, with Robertson and Frenay being dismissed inside the first 3 Overs, with the score on just 8. Skipper Marcus Martin and the ever dependable Tom Fulk then gave Reed hope with a brilliant century partnership. Martin was looking particularly good, playing a number of text book shots on his way to 50. However, the introduction of Izzard and Jenner halted the run rate, and frustration got the better of Fulk and martin, who struggled to score as freely as before. Martin eventually caught off of Izzard for a magnificent 72, and Fulk bowled by the same bowler for 48. Needing 10 an Over, Reed’s young side then struggled with the pressure and collapsed with Matt Bowles, Ed Blissett, Karl Ward and Ed Garrott all dismissed cheaply.
Fergus Martin (5), Graham Hazard (6) and Rupert Martin 7 Not Out all remained around for a while, but in the end their efforts were in vein as Reed finished 178 All Out.
Captain Marcus Martin commented : “we didn’t bowl too well today, but we were missing a few regulars in that department. I was pleased with my own batting, and Tom Fulk did well too, but we just had too many runs to get in the end”.
When asked about rumours that Richard Johnson was dropped for disciplinary reasons, Martin gave a “non comment” but did explain that there was an issue, however he will deal with it “in house”.
