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.
