Reed’s newly established fourth eleven got their league campaign off to a good start with a hard fought victory over Knebworth Park VI. Reed won the toss and captain Peter Baker elected to bat first on the Freman College pitch. Baker batted well for his 45 runs, protecting his wicket whilst others fell for little runs. Left hander Alan Ward then took over scoring a blistering 75 runs, finding the boundary with ease and notching up quick singles supported by Scott Caine (9) and Luke Cox (10). Reed’s total was greatly assisted by Knebworth themselves who gave away 53 runs in extras.
Reed declared on 238 for 7 from 45 overs, with Ward and Will Kirby (31) the men not out having added an impressive undefeated 86 run partnership for the eighth wicket. Wickets fell to the bowling of E. Large (5-1-70-4), B. Murphy (5-0-28-2) and M. Darlow (11-1-39-1).
In reply Knebworth did look like competing for the win early on in their innings, partnerships by S. Jenkins (59) with L. Hutchinson (34) and I. Nurril (31) frustrated the bowling of Cox (3-0-22-0), Baker (5-0-22-0) and Christian Martin (5-0-25-0). Kirby (5-0-13-1) picked up a wicket after some impressive pace bowling. Ian Roberts also got in on the act showing his skill finishing with figures of 9.4-1-28-3.
But it was Alex West who troubled the opposition the most picking up a much deserved 5 for 48 from 12 overs catching D. Hennessy (29) off his own bowling to pick up his fifth. Reed’s ability in the field was very much in contrast to that of Knebworth who lost by 75 runs. The fourth’s season has started well and will require much of the same to get into division thirteen.
