On a slightly green but dry track Northwood Town won the toss and elected to bat in this Saturday SHCL Div 2 Reed Home fixture. Lee Johnson (2 for 48) opened the bowling with debutant Jack Tidey (2 for 26) with the young bowler Tidey soon causing problems, removing the dangerous looking Vann-ee for 8, bowled. Despite bowling up hill into a stiff wind Jack soon struck again removing the talented number three for Northwood Lee for 9, again bowled. During Jack’s impressive spell, Lee Johnson was again pilling on the pressure from his end, with some controlled but aggressive fast bowling.
Due to restriction on young bowlers, Mr Tidey had to be replace with the inform Richard Johnson (1 for 14) who continue the opening bowlers good work, removing Costard (39) who had batted very well hitting some great shots straight. Again Lee supported Richard superbly, finally getting some justice for his fine spell, trapping Heaney LBW and bowling Lister in quick succession. Andy Young (2 for 6) was brought into the attack with Northwood score standing at 83 for 5, and was in truth a little too good for the lower middle order, removing Doling with a quick delivery that lifted off a length and setting up Bushnell with two that beat him on the outside of his bat, then bowling a full in swinger that hit middle and off stump.
This brought captain Raj Hluwalia (26) to the crease and with Robbin quickly being dismissed by the tricky off spin of Dobson (3 for 11) left Northwood Town 8 for 87. Raj played a captains inning being support by the stubborn Robbins, accumarating 33 valuable runs on for the ninth wicket before being dismissed stumped from a great delivery by Dobson. Northwood’s tail continued to wag, adding a further 14 runs before the innings came to an end at 134 in the 49th over.
The Reed innings did not start well with James Heslam being caught behind with the score on five, falling to the away swing of Doling (3 for 50). A further two wicket fell with the Reed score still in the 20’s both Jackson brothers being dismiss, also by Doling. This brought both Tom Fulk (36) and Tom Greaves (14) to the crease leading to a little less stress for the Reed faithful, until Greaves was remove LBW to Bushell (1-29), a well deserved wicket from an excellent spell of bowling. William Dobson (46) was next to enter the field of play and produce a match winning inning, to support his fine spell of spin bowling. The partnership of Dobson and Fulk brought Reed to 114 just 21 runs short when Fulk was given LBW quickly followed by Dobson Leaving both Johnsons to bring Reed Home for a four wicket victory in the 44th over.
Captain’s Notes
Everybody bowled and fielded really well today, I was particular pleased with Jack Tidey who enjoyed some success in his inaugural first team game, William Dobson who had a great game with both bat and bowl and Tom Fulk batted beautiful, and really good day at the office.
