The fours did their part in another good weekend for the club with a solid victory over old rivals Langleybury. Returning captain Peter Baker lost the toss and was asked to bat first, opening for Reed were Will Heslam and Aiden Swain. Both made good starts as they put early pressure on the opposition but Reed then lost Heslam for 26 with the score on 45. Swain was then joined by Paul Garrott before Swain (17) also fell with the score on 79. Paul Garrott then made a fantastic partnership with John Kershaw as they smashed their own previous third wicket score.
Kershaw capitalised on some poor field placements by pulling the short balls to the empty leg side as he over took Garrott. Kershaw, playing a fantastic innings, reached three figures for the first time becoming the fourth century maker for the side this season before being run out for 110, ending their partnership of 176. Paul Garrott remained and once again helped his healthy average by finishing on 92 not out as the declaration came after 45 overs with Reed on 292.
Nick Green (6-1-16-1), bowling a very good spell, took the first wicket after tea bowling McFarlane (0) before Christian Martin (9-1-20-3) once again excelled with the ball taking out a bulk of the opposition line up. Langlebury struggled for runs with only some futile heavy hitting coming too late from Hines (42) and Gallager (40), damaging the figures of Josh Poulton who’s bowling certainly did not deserve such treatment, but Poulton had the final word by taking two in two balls finishing with figures of 2 for 42. James Hooper also took two wickets in his spell for 41, as did Sam Deville who took the final wicket as Langlebury were all out for 148 well short of the target. Kershaw also performed well in the field by taking three catches. This is the sort of dedicated performance that Reed are going to need for the remainder of the season.
