Reed 1XI narrowly lost out again in another hard fought division one encounter this time at home to St Margaretsbury. At 10:00 it was looking like the game may not go-ahead due to heavy rain for much of the week leading up to the fixture but thanks to the hardwork of the Reed ground staff the match was able to begin at 1:30 just with the aid of a shortened boundary on one side of the green.
Captain Heslam lost the toss and Reed were put into bat on what was obviously a wet wicket, but one that although holding up a little still played decently enough. Having said this the visitors did take advantage with the early wickets of Heslam (9) adjudged LBW in the 5th over and the in-form Joe Curk out without scoring who was through his shot too early in the slower conditions. Despite this shaky start Michael Curtis (33) continued his good form and along with Chris Jackson (76*) helped take Reed to 61-2 after just 13 overs. St Margetsbury then turned to their slower and medium pace bowlers and runs began to dry up. This period also saw the end of Curtis and then Fulk for 12. This then brought Simon Jackson (36) to the crease and along with his brother forged an excellent partnership of 74 that really gave the innings the boost it needed. With excellent running between the wickets and some useful boundaries they were able to initially consolidate and then propel the innings to 161 before Jackson S was 5th man out with 4.4 overs still left to go. Jackson then helped the Reed total up to a respectable 188-9.
In reply Reed achieved an early breakthrough when Tidey (10-1-34) bowled the dangerous Wallace for 17. However, despite losing his opening partner the St Margetsburys Australian Livermore (74) began to find his feet and began to play his shots passing fifty as the score reached 100 for the loss of just 1 wicket in partnership with Tilbury (47). Despite having plenty of wickets in hand, the visitors were never that much ahead of the rate thanks to wicketless but useful spells by opener Young (11-43-0) and 1st change Johnson (6-0-23). And when spinner Bernie Morss (12-1-50) was introduced to the attack the St M innings really began to stall under increasing pressure from good Reed fielding. In fact when the breakthrough was finally made at 139-1 in the 39th over the game was still well on. Joe Curk (7.5-30-4) came on to replace Johnson and a tense run chase began. St Margetsbury were eventually left with 3 to win off the last over to be bowled by Curk. 2 dot balls were followed by 2 wickets and suddenly the visitors were really up against it with 3 needed off 2 balls. However, Shanley kept his head and carved one away over point to secure a 3 and to clinch the away side victory off the penultimate ball.
Reeds determined attempt to defend the total brought them a deserved 15 points from the game which was a decent return for their efforts. Captain Heslam said ‘I think we would admit that we were 20 or 30 runs light of a match winning score. Chris, Simon & Baz batted very well today particularly Chris but again we didn’t quite fire as a unit with the bat. Our bowling and fielding was again excellent. It was nice to see Joe and Bernie bowl so well under pressure at the end like that and we came very close to forcing a draw and took good points by putting them under pressure. Hopefully next week at Berkhamsted we can all be firing on all cylinders with both bat and ball.
