Reed’s 2nd XI were looking to put some poor performances behind them and get some valuable league points. They won the toss and decided to bat first. Baz Curtis and William Helsam opened for the home side and looked comfortable. Heslam played some lovely shots putting the bad ball away. It was Curtis who was the first to go when he tried a misjudge cut and was caught behind for 10. Heslam looking in good nick got a ball that rose off a good length and was well held at square leg for 14. Fergus Martin was bowled for three and from looking at a good start Reed were suddenly 27-3.
That quickly became 4 down when Bowles who scored his 16 all in boundaries was out. Richard Johnson looked at his majestic best and had moved to 17 when he was bowled. Suddenly the visitors could sense the home side were vulnerable. Roddi Liebenberg was joined by Mitchell Cooper and started to rebuild. Liebenberg bounced on anything that was lose and with some clean hitting cleared the boundary four times as he raced to 50. The pair put on 92 in only 10 overs. Still at 163-6 in only the 33rd over, if Reed were to be bowled out quickly Shenley Village would have plenty of over to chase down the total. Reed’s lower order had other ideas. Cooper went for 27, but Keiran Wheeler smashed a quick 27.
The 9th wicket went down with the score on 207, but their was still more runs to come. Rupert Martin and Peter Tidey put on 43 in 8 overs to take the score to 250 when the declaration came. Tidey was 25 not out with Martin on 15 not out.
The declaration meant the visitors had 50 overs to chase 251 to win. It took time for Reed to make inroads, but Mitchell Cooper and Rupert Martin both bowled well and putting the batsman under pressure. Cooper picked up two wickets in his first spell including a well set Al Dawrraji. Martin got the wicket he deserved in a fine 14 over spell. Keiran Wheeler replaced Cooper and soon got in to the action picking up 2 quick wickets. Suddenly at 58-5 the home side where well set. A fine partnership from Rajesararan and Gerrard held Reed up for 15 valuable overs before Gerrard was LBW to Cooper for 21. Wheeler finally removed Rajesararan for 52 and at 145-8, Reed had only a few overs to get the final 2 wickets. With 8 balls to go Wheeler took his 4th wicket. Singh blocked the first 5 balls of the last over before smashing one at Curtis how didn’t really have a chance to catch it, but the rebound landed safely and Reed walked away with a 19 point draw.
