Reed’s 2nd XI were in desperate need of 30 points to help them in the relegation fight. They lost the toss on a sweltering day at Ickleford. The home side decided to bat on what looked like a decent batting track. Tom Walsingham bowled a tight open spell conceding just 15 runs from his 6 over. Senior partner Peter Tidey was also keeping things tight from the other end. The bowling was so tight that the run rate was just over 2 an over. Toby Fynn replaced Walsingham and made the break through Reed needed. Tidey soon got into the action from the other end picking up 3 quick wickets.
Alex Kelly then got in to the action. Ickleford decided it was time to break the shackles and Kelly was the man to attack. His first 2 balls went flying to the boundary, but his 3rd was well held by Richard Barlow behind the stumps and Ickleford were 5 down. Kelly wasn’t done. He took the remaining 5 wickets and finished with 6-10. Ickleford were left 69 all out.
After a fine tea, Reed were left to knock off the 70 runs required. In past season this would have been no problem, but this season low totals have been a problem. Baz Curtis and Richard Johnson opened for the visitors and were soon in their stride. They had reached 50 in just 6 overs as they found the boundary on regular occasions. Johnson in particular was in fine form. He hit 10 boundaries in his 41 before being softly caught and bowled. Curtis was removed with 8 runs left. Will Clarke also fell, but Reed managed to get over the line and won by 7 wickets and a vital 30 points.
