A depleted Reed first team played a strong Herts Premier League Sawbridgeworth in their 1st game of the season at home on Saturday. Sawbridgeworth contained Andrew Richardson who was called up to the West Indies squad in 2007 and Michael Burrell who plays for Hertfordshire. Whilst Reed were giving first team debuts to new players Bernie Morse and Joe Curk
Surprisingly Reed were asked to bat Michael Burrell bowled a very tight early line and got the early scalp of Baz Curtis (7) before Chris Jackson (14) made a good start with his elder brother Simon. Joe Curk (13) hit a few classy shots before he was the only wicket of West Indian Richardson. Simon Jackson played Richardson very well on his way to 32 before being given out by occasional bowler Danny Wilson. Debutant Bernie Morse, Ed Garrott and Rob Willoughby saw Reed to a very respectable 125 on a low scoring wicket.
In reply Sawbo got off to an awful start losing Tom Small to a magnificent catch by Graham Hazard off captain Andy Youngs bowling. Young (3 for 29) with his quick bowling also cleaned bowled Burrell 1st ball and Sawbo were reeling at 30 for 3. Further changes to the bowling saw the rejuvenated Richard Johnson bowl probably his best first team spell of his career and was unlucky to finish with only 1 for 28 from his 9 overs. In his first spell for the club Bernie Morse bowled an amazing spell bowling 9 overs, 5 maidens, taking 3 wickets for 4 runs. Despite Reed taking regular wickets, excellent fielding and great enthusiasm Sawbo got to their victory with 4 overs left but only 3 wickets.
Stand in skipper Andy Young was really impressed with his side. “They had 8 first team regulars including Richardson who has previously got out Rahul Dravid and plays alongside Chris Gayle for Jamaica back home. Whilst we were at the bare bones with availability due to numerous things before the first league game next week. Simon (Jackson) set good foundations for our innings but everyone chipped in with the bat. All our bowlers bowled superbly, especially debutant Bernie and we made everything very hard for a strong premier league side. This will be a good start to our first season in division 1 of the Hertfordshire league
