Reed’s 2nd XI went into Saturday’s match against St. Margaretsbury II looking for a much need victory. Reed won the toss and took the brave decision to field first. Reed opened up with the Ward brothers, Kallum and Karl. Both bowled tightly, but it was Karl who made the first breakthrough with a good caught and bowled to get rid of Reed for 10. Skipper Archer then turned to spin and brought on Will Dobson. The wicket wasn’t producing much turn, but Dobson was soon using some excellent flight to keep the runs down.
Ed Garrott came on from the tennis court end and despite a shaky start soon turned one sharply through Richard’s defences he was bowled for 21. Kitteringham was looking like he could stick around all day before Sean Tidey took a great legside catch of Dodson to remove him for 21. Dobson then had Miller caught at slip the next ball with Baz Curtis holding a sharp chance. The hat-trick was not completed, but Reed were now on top. Bailey played some aggressive shots off both spinners and hit a fine 57 before he was lbw to Garrott. Dobson ended with 4-60 off 21 overs and Garrott 2-48 from 16 overs. St. Margaretsbury ended 170-8 in their 53 overs.
Reed were confident they could knocked the runs off, but lost Curtis for a 3 ball duck and were 0-1. Stuart Smith came to the wicket and raced to 12 from 4 balls, but after that the open bowlers of Bentley and Ayres started to make scoring very tough. Reed had only scored 38 runs in 18 overs when Fergus Martin was removed for 15 trying to up the rate. All rounder Dobson joined Smith and looked in good touch, but he perished for 15 and Reed were 62-3 in 24 overs. That soon became 71-4 in 29. With 18 overs left Reed need 100 to win.
Mark King came in a number 7 and hit a swift 23 and suddenly Reed could see a chance. Smith continued to push the ball around nicely and with King hitting some crucial boundaries the game was back on. King was dismissed when the score was on 111 in the 37 over. A run a ball need to win. Kallum Ward joined Smith and with some attacking shots, over the top, managed to spread the field. Reed were suddenly on top, but didn’t have many wickets to play with. Ward went for one big shot too many and was caught for 20. 31 still needed and 3 wickets in hand. Rupert Martin came to the crease and some fine running with Smith got Reed to less than a run a ball for victory. Smith was now in his stride and some big blows saw Reed home with 3 wickets left and 9 balls to spare. Martin was left 9 not out.
