The 2nd XI travelled to Northwood on Saturday trying to put their poor run of form behind them. Unfortunately this wasn’t to be the case. Deciding to bat first skipper Baz Curtis set the tone with two poor shots, the second of which he managed to snick to the keeper. Phil Freney tried the exact same thing to the third ball of the match only to snick it over the slips for four. J. Vedener was their tormentor. He was just getting enough movement off the pitch to make driving difficult. William Heslam returning to 2nd XI action look in good form and put the bad ball away before he was also tempted to drive and was caught at mid off. Richard Johnson joined Freney at 27-2 and that soon became 3 as Johnson was out of the last ball of the over LBW for a duck.
Freney consolidated with his new partner Matt Bowles. Bowles again looked in good form and the pair had moved the total on to 55 before Freney was caught for 24. Will Dobson joined Bowles and the pair made quick progress put on 60 runs in 11 overs. The run rate wasn’t the issue, it was the loss of wickets. Dobson looked set for another 50, but was out for 49 caught on the boundary going for his fourth six. Bowles had looked in no trouble, but somehow managed to get a get a leading edge and was caught and bowled for 34. Reed were 130-6 with still 20 overs to go. If they could bat their overs a very good total was likely. The remaining batsman all got it, but got out when set. At 164-8 it seemed like Northwood would have a low total to chase and in plenty of overs.
Peter Tidey and Rupert Martin had others ideas. Martin got off the mark with a six. Tidey also put bat to ball and the pair got Reed to within four runs of maximum batting points before Tidey was bowled for 20, leaving Martin 15 not out. Despite the decent total Reed gave the home side an extra 10 overs. This meant they had 52 over to get 197.
Reed took the new ball with Mitchell Cooper and Rupert Martin being trusted with getting early wickets for the visitors. Northwood had other ideas and looked very secure until Cooper nipped one back and skipper Watson was bowled for 20. Will Dobson snapped up a sharp chance a 2nd slip and Cooper had struck twice in two overs. Sidiqi came to the crease and decided that attack was the best way to go. He was soon dropped twice and a missed run out chance gave him yet another life. He certainly took full advantage of his luck and when Marcus Baker took what looked like a flipping good catch he survived the decision. Along with Vadera they put on 95 before Keiran Wheeler had Vadera caught and bowled. Sidiqi finally feel, again off Wheeler when he tried a big shot too many and caught by Curtis.
Cooper returned to the attack and picked up Ward for 27, but it was too late and with only 13 needed the home side cruised home by 5 wickets.
