Most match reports have to start with the 1st innings, but not this one. This one is all about Peter Tidey and his amazing 10 wicket haul to see the 2nd XI to victory. Radlett had been set just 137 to win in 47 overs on a wicket that despite Reed’s poor effort held no demons. In fact it wasn’t the wicket that was going to cause the batsman problems. It was a day for swing bowling and Tidey knows how to use those conditions. He struck early with the score on nought removing Nathwan for a duck. His partner Morjaria wasn’t put off by this early loss and continued to play his shots.
Radlett had moved to 20-1 when Tidey took his 2nd wicket removing Hoffman for 14. By the end of Tidey’s 6th over he had 5 victims including the dangerous Morjaia who was well caught by Tom Wallsingham running in from fine leg. Tom Walsingham and Toby Fynn both supported Tidey well and were unlucky not to take at least a wicket each. Walsingham in particular bowled with some good pace on the first hard wicket of the season.
At 35-5 Radlett still had plenty of overs and a good stand would have seen them back in the game. Edwards and Mazoor knew that keeping the runs ticking would be enough. Edwards look particularly assured, but he went back and was bowled. He became victim number 6. 49-6 soon became 53-8 and Tidey could sense history. Skipper Robertson came to the crease and tried some lusty blows before being victim number 9 and the 6th bowled. Tidey had 4 balls at Carpenter the number 11 and under normal circumstances Tidey would have no nerves. With the 4th ball Carpenter was bowled and Tidey became only the 2nd Reed bowler to take all 10. He finished with figured of 13-5-27-10.
Earlier Reed had one the toss and decided to bat on a wicket that looked like it would be full of runs. Reed got off to a quick start, but Baz Curtis was caught for 17 in the 4th over when the score was on 23. That became 45-5 and Reed looked in all sorts of trouble. Richard Barlow and Marcus Baker put on a handy 39 before Baker was removed for 13. Barlow saw the score to 109-8 before being caught for 39. A fine effort in the circumstances and just what the visitors needed. Toby Fynn and Tom Walsingham knowing that batting out the overs were crucial added another 20 with Fynn scoring 21. In the end Reed finished 136-9, but the game had just begun.
