On Saturday Reed entertained Letchworth ll at The Green. Reed bowled first on what looked to be a decent track. Letchworth got off to a steady start with openers Wight and Mullen batting sensibly but Reed’s opening bowlers Lee Johnson (13-4-56-1) and Jack Tidey (9-3-19-1) remained patient and were rewarded when Tidey picked up the wicket of Wight (11) , bowled, going for one pull shot too many. Johnson then picked up the wicket of Mullen Caught Behind by Sean Tidey for a slow 26.
At 48-2, Walsh and March came together and looked to make use of the platform the openers had made. They did just this, respecting the good ball and punishing the bad. The run rate increase and Letchworth looked in control until Walsh holed out in the deep on 27 off the bowling of Ed Garrott (11-0-55-1). Spinner Tom Greaves got in the act in the latter stages of the innings for Reed picking up the wickets of March (79), Maxford Pipe (57) and Gillham (1) to finish with figures of (17-1-53-3). This left Letchworth on 214-6 off their 53 overs.
In reply, Reed’s opening pair of James and William Heslam got off to a solid start and reached 39 before Will Heslam was caught for 12 (3x4s). Tom Greaves came to the crease looking to continue his recent good form with the bat and did just this. He and James Heslam found the boundary regularly. The pair added 81 for the second wicket before skipper Heslam was Bowled by Maxford Pipe for 66 (12x4s, 1x6s).
At 120-2, Reed looked in command but still had work to do when the reliable Chris Jackson strode out to the wicket. Jackson and Greaves looked to be building a decent partnership until Greaves was given out LBW for a well crafted, yet powerful 40 (7x4s). Stuart Smith provided a brief cameo making a quickfire 20 (3x4s) before he was bowled by the impressive Maxford Pipe.
171-4 became 178-5 after pinch hitter Jack Tidey was sent in up the order and sent packing after one scoring shot for 6. Marcus Martin joined Jackson and he too departed shortly after arrival for 6. At this stage, Letchworth were going through the Reed middle order like a hot knife through butter. However, Sean Tidey (10*) and Chris Jackson (44*) managed to guide Reed home with a few overs to spare.
An important 30 points for Reed who now need 10 points for promotion and 13 points to be crowned champions in what is set to be a fascinating and memorable weekend of cricket for the club, its members and the players, who also have the small matter of The National Village Cup Final next Sunday at Lords.
