Reed IIIs got their league season off to a flying start when they travelled to Letchworth V on Saturday.
Captain Matt Bowles lost the toss and his team were asked to bat on a lively looking track, and lively it proved to be as variable bounce from the outset meant the Reed batsmen had to be watchful and wise in their shot selection. Openers Aidan Swain (29) and 14 year old William Heslam batted beautifully against the new ball, mixing good judgement with some excellent shot making to put on an opening stand of 88, before Swain was bowled. Heslam (53) was not to be stopped however, and played some magnificent strokes on his way to a half century, outlining his promise as a batsman, an impressive feat given the difficult wicket.
Reed’s batsmen continued to build good partnerships, with contributions from all who batted. Peter Baker (12) and Masseh Naeem put on nearly 50 together, and then skipper Bowles (43) and young keeper/batsman Sean Tidey (18) plundered a brutal 50 run partnership. Some lusty late blows from Richard Robertson (14 Not Out) and promising young all-rounder Kallum Ward (21 Not Out) then took Reeds score to 256-6 when Bowles declared the innings. A hugely impressive effort on what was a challenging pitch to bat on.
In reply, Letchworth had no real answer to the strong Reed bowling attack, as Kallum Ward ((11-4-18-2) had opposing captain Gillham caught behind by keeper Sean Tidey in the 2nd Over after a peach of a ball that took the outside edge. The impressive Tidey then took a brilliant catch off of Rupert Martin (11-4-26-3) to reduce the visitors to 30-2. Martin then followed this up by dislodging the off stump of Dier with only one more run added. The introduction of the hostile and pacey Jack Tidey (6-2-6-2) in combination with Martin then accounted for more ailing Letchworth batsmen, as a mixture of excellent bowling and good catching from Reed had the visitors in trouble at 44-7. Ian Roberts (6.5-3-17-3) then got in on the act with a superb spell of controlled bowling, which got the rewards it deserved, and finished off the Letchworth innings, despite spirited resistance from A. Reed (19) and R. Usla (13). Letchworth were eventually all out for 70, giving Reed an impressive 186 run victory.
