Reed’s 2nd XI got their first win of the season against 2nd in the table Leverstock Green. Reed won the toss and put the home side into bat on a damp track. The opening attack of Rupert Martin and Kallum Ward bowled extremely well. Ward was extremely unlucky not to take a wicket with some fine seam and swing bowling. It was Martin who took the first 2 wickets leaving the home side 20-2.
The Littlejohn brothers rebuilt the innings battling through the tough conditions. L. Littlejohn decided putting bat to ball was the best form of defence and raced to 36 before holing out in the deep off the bowling of Fynn. At drinks it seemed the home side had set a good foundation for a large total, but Peter Tidey had other ideas. He struck with the first ball after drinks. When the score reached 134 Tidey removed D. Littlejohn for 53 and the watch turned. 4 wickets fell for 4 runs. The returning Will Clarke removed the hosts skipper for 16 and then bowled Walker for 2. At 138-9 it seem Reed had done the hard work, but May and Lake batted sensibly to put on a valuable 26 for the last wicket before Martin struck again to take his 3rd wicket. Tidey finished with 4-50.
In reply Reed also lost an early wicket when Fergus Martin was bowled. Baz Curtis along with Phil Freney got their heads down and saw off what dangerous were left in the pitch. It had flattened out and the sun had come out making batting easier. Curtis took full advantage racing to 50 in just 14 overs before he smashed one back at Littlejohn who clung on to a caught and bowled. Reed’s excellent start was quickly undone as 73-2 became 80-5. Both sides halfway to victory. All rounder Will Clarke and Marcus Baker steadied the ship. Baker settling in and then hitting some lusty blows reached 19 before a mix up ended up with him being run out. The pair had put on 49 valuable runs. Fynn went for 2 and Ward for 8 and Reed still needed 24 to win with 2 wickets left.
Overs weren’t a problem, but could Martin and Clarke see Reed home? Clarke showed great patience as he moved the ball around and had total faith in Martin as they took the singles on offer to get the number 10 on strike. In the end it was left to Clarke to plunder 3 successive 2s off Tyson to see Reed home by 2 wickets. Martin was 12 not out and Clarke 46 not out. Littlejohn finished with 5-45.
