Reed had another unhappy league outing this time against Old Cholmeleians. This was a game that the 2nd XI need to pick up some good point, but the failed to deliver. Baz Curtis again won the toss and elected to field first hoping a slightly damp wicket would help his bowlers. Reed got off to a lacklustre start and gave the visiting openers plenty for balls to hit. This they did and took full advantage. Peter Tidey replace Chris Peckett at the McMeekin House end and got the breakthrough that was needed. He then had Whitbrow stumped with some excellent glove work from Sean Tidey.
From here on in the came went one way then the other. Tidey ripped through the Old Cholmeleians top order taking another 3 wickets. The visitors going from 60-0 to 75-5. Suddenly the Reed bowlers were getting the ball to do all sorts of the pitch and getting some swing as well. Then came the rain. A short break was followed by three more balls being bowled, then another shower saw the players off for 50 minutes. Chris Peckett struck shortly after the game restarted and Reed looked in total control. O’Brien and Schlogram had other ideas and took advantage of a more placid wicket. A mixture of good stroke play and running saw them move the score an to a total that looked like it could be a real challenge. Peckett managed to get one past Schlogram’s defences and he was out for 39. Tidey picked up his 6th wicket again thanks to some fine glove work from the younger Tidey. O’Brien was the last man to be out held well in the deep by Matt Bowles and giving Peckett figures for 4-68 from his 20 overs. Tidey finished with 6-66 from 17 overs.
Reed’s reply didn’t get off to the best of starts when Curtis was adjudged LBW for just 7. William Helsam and Fergus Martin moved the score along to 38 when Heslam went for a drive over the top and was caught for 17. Martin had reached 26 before he was caught behind. Reed were still in the hunt at this stage. Mark King and Stuart Smith started to find the boundaries the home side needed, but King was well help a mid off for a quick 22. Matt Bowles played some wonderful shots off his legs, but once again just as he looked set to take the game away from Old Cholmeleians he was caught.
That was Reed’s last real flourish for victory. Smith went for a fine 53 and with him Reed’s last hope. Kallum Ward was run out for 12 and it was left to number 11 Peter Tidey and Chris Peckett to see out the last over and hold up Old Cholmeleians promotion push for at least another week. Peckett saw out the last 5 balls and Reed held for a draw.
