Having lost the toss Reed were asked to bat on a damp wicket at Freman College. Richard Johnson lost his opening partner, George Garrott, in the 3rd over with the score on 11. Scott Caine came in at 3 and gave Johnson some valuable support to take the score onto 41 before he was caught behind by the wicket keeper. Reed then lost two quick wickets, John Kershaw, run out for 3 and Steve Lovegrove bowled for 0. This left Reed on 57 – 4 after 19 overs. Johnson, who had began a little hesitantly, was now finding his form and stroking the ball around the ground. Michael Naeem joined him at the crease and the pair put on 74 runs for the 5th wicket. Naeem was eventually caught and bowled for 35 after smashing the ball to all parts.
The partnership allowed Reed to push on and with Johnson now in imperious form, maximum batting points looked likely. With solid contributions from Maseeh Naeem (27) and Jack Caine (15) Reed were able to declare on 231 for 9 after 50 overs. Johnson was unbeaten after making a well-deserved 109.
London Colney’s reply was slow but steady, George Garrott and Jack Caine’s bowling restricting the chances of boundaries. Garrott finished with 8 – 4 – 19 and Caine 6 – 0 – 19. Ian Roberts’s introduction to the attack ensured 30 points for Reed, in a 10 over spell Roberts picked up 5 for 21 and with Jim Alsop picking up 1 – 15 London Colney were all out for 110 after 34 overs. The bowlers were able assisted by the Reed fielding with Scott Caine, excelling, taking 3 difficult catches in the covers and at midwicket.
