The third eleven continued their run of bad luck in division eleven on Saturday as they lost, hosting Radlet fifths at Therfield. Despite the heat the track was far from rock solid and the general consensus was it would be best to field first. Captain Peter Baker actually lost the toss but was still asked to field by the Radlet captain.
The opening bowling attack of Rupert Martin (8-2-12-0) and Kallum Ward (5-2-9-0) put early pressure on the batsmen who took their time in making their runs. First change bowler Michael Robertson (8-0-52-2) made the brake through bowling Dexter (27) and other opener Foyez (15) soon fowled, caught by Alan Ward off the bowling of David Hill (6-0-31-1). But number three batsman Griffiths (76) put up a fight and was able to find the boundary nicely. With the runs coming off of the bat and mistakes being made by bowlers and in the field Reeds moral hit rock bottom. The fight back only started as wickets started to fall again, Alan Ward (7-0-40-1) took a deserved wicket and spinner Jason Pallet (11.4-1-55-4) took four, two good catches by R. Martin and Ben Bowles, and a fine delivery taking out middle. Radlet declared on the loss of their ninth wicket, keeper Marcus J.E. Baker stumping Rajpul (1) off Pallet. The visitors posted the target of 216 for 9 off 46.4 overs, a total which was at least forty runs too many thanks mainly to the lull that Reed suffered mid way through the first innings.
The second innings started badly for Reed as well, opener Ben Bowles (1) being surprised by the swing of Mansel (7.5-0-40-3) on his first ball. Peter Baker (8) was then joined by M. Robertson (31) and the two put on 33 for the next wicket. A succession of wickets then fell until returning Masseh Naeem (36) and Alan Ward (11) steadied the ship putting on a partnership of 42. A quick knock by M.J.E. Baker (10) followed after the loss Naeem but he too was returning soon enough to the pavilion. The final 6 overs of Reeds innings was the partnership of R. Martin (27) and J. Pallet (3*). Martin performing as the situation dictated, playing safe and focusing on each point target, with Pallet supporting him. However, the end was all too soon as Reed ended on 159 all out from 33.5.
Reed had actually easily kept up with the run rate but it was the easy loss of wickets that ended Reeds dream of victory and perhaps even promotion. The thirds have only managed to get 22 points from the last three weeks, and still remain in sixth place in the division but lies more than 30 points shy of the fifth placed team. This game is sure signal that if the thirds are going to get into division ten then it will require a change in luck and form.
