Reed’s 2nd XI’s season went from bad to worse with yet another batting collapse. Skipper Baz Curtis won the toss and had no hesitation putting in the visitors on a damp wicket. Kings Langley had reached 11 before Rupert Martin had Pinchin caught at mid off. He struck again 6 runs later leaving visitors 17-2. Alex Kelly replaced Tom Walsingham and Peter Tidey replaced Martin and suddenly Reed took a strangle hold. Kelly bowled a tight line and along with Tidey kept the runs to a minimum. Tidey had Smith run out backing up and Kelly chipped in with 2 well deserved wickets. All of a sudden it was 33-6. Scanbrook was the only batsman to look comfortable and he struck some lust blows and moved the strike around well as his partners came and went.
Tidey picked up two more wickets leaving Kings Langley 9 down for 87. 21 was added for the last wicket before Walsingham bowled Burnell. Scanbrook was left 49 not out.
Reed made a decent start in reply. Roddi Liebenberg and Baz Curtis put on 22 for the first wicket. Liebenberg being removed for 13. Curtis fell for the same total when the score was 31. At 35-3 the game looked evenly poised. Phil Freney and Will Clarke looked to have turned the game back in Reed’s favour putting on 27 before Freney went for 11. Still at 62-4 Reed felt like one more good partnership would see them home. If only that had happened. A mixture of excellent catching and sharp fielding saw the home side collapse from 62-4 to 68-8. A late charge from Peter Tidey who topped scored with 17 wasn’t enough as Shandy came back into the attack to finished the game off. Reed falling 17 runs short and another depressing defeat.
