Reed IIs moved to joint top of the Saracens Herts League Div 7 with a close fought victory over Southgate Adelaide on Saturday, in very trying conditions. Reed won the toss and inserted their hosts, in bowler friendly conditions. When Tom Fulk caught Whiting at extra cover off Karl Ward, with the score on 15 the decision looked like paying off.
Ward then proceeded to rip through the batsmen taking the first 5 wickets as Adelaide slumped to 34 – 5. Omar came to the crease with an obvious intention to take the attack to Reed. On 26 he lofted one to cover where the usually safe hands of Tom Fulk failed to hold on to the catch. The drop proved costly as Omar bludgeoned his way to an eventual 95. Ward continued to pick up wickets though with Irwin and Doyle becoming victims 6 & 7. There was a real opportunity to get all 10 wickets but skipper Archer picked up the wickets of Samuels and McDermott both for ducks. With Omar running out of partners he attempted one shot too many and became Ward’s 8th scalp, 5 short of his century.
Ward took the plaudits for an amazing spell of 21.3 – 1- 8 – 79, ably supported by Richard Johnson, who bowled well without luck and Archer. The score of 186 all out was probably 60 more than Adelaide should have attained.
Reed set out on the chase, in worsening conditions but sensible batting saw a 30 opening partnership between Fulk and Smith. 30 – 1 became 40-2 as Frenay fell cheaply. Tom Fulk was joined by Edward Garrott and the pair batted with great maturity to see Reed to 97 before Fulk fell for 40. Garrott continued to rule the roost and looked untouchable before he was snared one short of his 50, with less than 30 required for victory. With Adelaide sensing the momentum was for the first time swinging in their favour, excellent cameos from Ward (20) and Steve Loverove (15no) took the game out of their grasp, and saw Reed home with 2 wickets to spare.
Skipper Jason Archer commented “Karl Ward has been a revelation this summer. The club invested heavily in pre-season coaching with top ECB coaches for all of it’s young fast bowlers and they are rewarding the club with fine displays. Karl now has 15 wickets in 3 league games, and Richard Johnson’s improvement is equally outstanding and he is very close to taking lots of wickets too The bowlers performed today with conditions that suited but special praise must go to Ed he batted superbly and without doubt his patient 49 was the difference between the teams in well fought game played in superb spirit.”
Reed play an early season “60 pointer” at The Green on Saturday as they host Northwood Town who sit proud a top of the league with Reed, the game starts at 1.30.
