Reed travelled to North London on Saturday, knowing a win would go a long way to cementing their promotion push. Asked to bat Reed made a steady start until the out of nick Ben Bowles was castled by the youngster Ellis for 16. This brought out of nick Ian Fulk to the crease and the flight and guile of Ellwood soon put paid to his day with a crafty slower ball that Fulk completely mis-timed to square leg. George Garrott joined remaining opener Swain and the pair made light work of the bowling Garrott plundering 43 quick runs with 9 boundaries. Swain was concentrating on length of innings and batted superbly for a meaty 68. M.J.E. Baker and the out of nick Fynn then dispatched the bowling to all parts in a fine partnership, allowing Reed to declare on 196-5 with maximum batting points off just 30 over’s.
Adelaide faced a tricky 10 over session before tea and opening quick Archer dispatched batsmen 1 & 3 in his opening over to leave them struggling at 0-2. The out of nick Rupert Martin but bowled tightly without ever looking like taking a wicket, so at vittles SA were 12-2.
After an amazing tea, SA continued to toil, only some unbelievably poor catching by Bowles, allowed the batsmen to remain insitu. Wickets were on the horizon and a suicidal run off another tight Archer over brought the breakthrough. The out of nick Martin was now replaced by Fynn wicketless for 8 weeks, which he soon rectified with his variation straight ball. Archer then ripped through the remaining top and middle order claiming his 5th wicket for 26 off 15 immaculate over’s. Chris West then wrapped up the tail to leave SA 88 all out.
Reed now sit pretty in second place. Stand in skipper Archer beamed ” Today was a big win with the 1s & 2s both struggling this year it is important that the third team brings some much need promotion success to the club. Today’s win was down to some of the 4th team players like Aidan, Marcus, George and Ben really stepping up to the plate and performing. Another win next week should guarantee us being promoted”
