Reed went head to head with top of the table Ickleford at the Freman College ground in Buntingford with hosting captain Paul Garrott winning the toss and electing to field first. It was one of the hottest days of the year and would have been a lot hotter if it were not for a cool breeze that blew across the pitch as Christian Martin (9-1-66-0) and Chris West (3-0-17-0) opened the bowling for Reed. An early chance went down and it was a mistake that Reed would regret as Rayard and Howard set a good opening partnership of 115 before Howard (54) was caught by Alan Ward from the bowling of the ever reliable Ian Roberts.
Morris (46) and Pearath (35) also made partnerships with Rayard as he reached three figures. Roberts (11-2-45-2) took another wicket thanks to a high catch by Mathew Naeem at Mid off and Ward (4-0-33-1)took the only other wicket as Ickleford declared after 42 overs on 276 for 3, Rayard 117 not out. Reed had generally fielded well in spite of the heat but with the lightning fast out-field big totals are always on the cards.
In reply the ever impressive Garrott once again got Reed off to the best possible start opening with James Hooper. The pair began to make Ickleford sweat as they put on 84 in 14 overs before Hooper was out prematurely for 38 falling to R. Izzard (17-1-61-6). Hooper was replaced by number three Sam Deville (48) who struck some nice looking boundaries whilst Garrott continued to lead his side as he went past his half century. Reed needed less than one hundred from 16 overs when Deville fell and Marcus J.E. Baker walked out to the crease.
Determined to win Reed were suddenly put on the back foot when Garrott was out LBW for 90, nevertheless Baker persisted and hit the ball hard to the boundary to take Reed ever closer to their target. More wickets continued to fall as the pressure built up including that of Baker (33). The tail led by Chris West (18) continued and ebbed closer and closer, but now 9 down Will Kirby (11*) did the sensible thing and saw that victory had eluded Reed but he could prevent the opposition from leaving with 30 points and for the second time this season batted out for the draw. Whilst Reed can be upset at not winning and only coming away with 5 points they should be happy with stopping Ickleford getting those extra 11 points which in the bigger picture of the division may well prove to be crucial.
