Reed slipped to second in Hertfordshire League Division 2 on Saturday but remain unbeaten this year after drawing with Knebworth Park IIs at Reed. Unfortunately for Reed, their second placed rivals, Berkhamsted, whom they will meet away next week, were victorious leaving the first place open for a hard fought fixture on 14th July.
Despite winning the toss, Reed struggled to break into Knebworth’s line-up as the prolific captain and overseas star, Jaret Turner (21) build a solid 42 run opening partnership with S Gregory (61). It took a special delivery by opening bowler, and stand in skipper Andrew Young (9.1-1-36-1) to remove Turner’s middle stump providing Reed with an opening, and also Knebworth’s batting order, who were clearly keen to knock their bats in this season for the first time.
The entrance of P Simpson (72) complemented Gregory well, as the pair took the score to 133, plundering some loose deliveries from Reed’s bowlers, despite some excellent commitment from Graham Wilson in his first spell (18.5-3-74-1). The pair worked the ball responsibly around the wicket despatching loose deliveries from Reed’s bowlers who lacked their talismanic Peter Tidey, drafted to Trent Bridge for drinks duties for the international ODI.
Garrott (7-0-37-1) and C Jackson (5-0-29-0) tried to make inroads with their twirling spinners, but the batsmen’s eyes lit up, plundering more runs at an alarming rate as Reed were staring down the barrel at a possible chase of 290.
It took the introduction on William Clarke (13-1-60-2) and Graham Wilson in his second spell to peg back the score, bowl a consistent line and take some wickets. Clarke removed Simpson with a ball that trapped the 16 year old prodigy in front of the wickets. Garrott had previously removed Greogory as a result of an irresponsible sweep, and Morton (12) retired hurt with a pulled hamstring. J D’Aubreu (39) continued to keep the score board ticking, despite Clarke removing Burford (9). D’Aubreu worked in tandem with Robinson (23) to keep singles ticking over and although D’Aubreu hold out on the boundary to Wilson, Knebworth managed to take their team to 244-5 off 53 overs. Reed truly rued their dropped catches which could have changed the course of the game at this stage.
In reply, Reed bagan positively, as Curtis (13) took control with Tom Fulk (39), opening in the absence of skipper James Heslam. However, with the score on 28, Curtis was caught at mid off trying to loft the ball over the top. Reed’s Phil Frenay (35), freshly back from University in Durham, picked up the baton with Fulk to take the score to 106 with some powerful blows all around the wicket.
However, when Fisher (19-5-50-3) removed both in quick succession, Chris Jackson (14) had to rebuild with Richard Johnson (10) – this proved in vain as N Simpon (5-0-25-2), taking the ball, removed the pair to some good catches in the covers, leaving Reed staring down the barrel at the difficult choice to chase of settle for a draw. Simon Jackson (17*) and Marcus Martin (58*) continued to chase the runs down until it became unachievable against the quality bowling from Knebworth,
This innings represented Martin’s maiden 1XI League fifty and included an array of attractive shots including many boundaries around the wicket and on blistering lofted off drive. Jackson supported him well, but it was Martin’s day, as he ensured that Reed did not collapse but also dragged them to 210 for 5 off 47 overs.
Vice captain, Andrew Young, commented after the game: “It was a shame to get a draw, and let Berkhamsted catch us. We did not bowl as well as we can today, and we should have held our catches, but our batting performance was encouraging – I was particularly pleased for Marcus Martin, who has worked hard on his technique this season – it paid off today with a magical innings”
Reed were later given 30 points as Knebworth played an ineligible player.
