Reed Sunday 1st XI travelled to Broxbourne to play Titanic CC hoping to maintain their unbeaten record in the league so far this season. The captaincy was left in the able hands of Phil Frenay, as the regular Sunday captain Marcus Martin, plus Matt Bowles and Joe Curk travelled to Amsterdam for a weekend of sex, drugs and sausage rolls!
Frenay won the toss and backed his youthful bowling attack by inserting the opposition on what looked like a decent batting track. The opening bowlers Cooper and R. Martin (1-41) initially found it difficult in the blustery conditions, combined with the small boundaries and aggressive batting. However Mitchell Cooper soon found his line and length to make the breakthrough. Runs were still coming easily to the home side and it took the introduction of Jack Tidey in to the attack to stem the flow of runs. He bowled an excellent line and length and when Fergus Martin (2-29) was introduced at the other end, the young pair were able to exert considerable pressure on the Titanic batsmen. The small boundaries of Broxbourne placed a great deal of pressure on young spinner Jason Pallett, however he rose to the challenge, providing a spell of tight off spin bowling finishing with figures of 1 for 36. With the rotation of the seam bowlers from one end it was James Bloor (0-36) who carried on the spin attack from the other. As wickets fell to the seamers, Titanic took the attack to Bloor who was unlucky to end wicketless as he bowled some very good balls. Tidey (4-30) ripped through the lower order and Cooper (2-26) finished the innings off. Reed fielded and caught well, with the wicketkeeper Rob Willoughby taking 3 catches, they restricted Titanic to 202 all out in 37.2 overs.
Reeds reply began well with Tom Greaves (24) and Fergus Martin (23) laying a solid foundation. Fergus Martin was first to fall which brought Phil Frenay to the crease. They set about building a partnership until Greaves was caught at gully. Blissett (6) and Hazard (5) didn’t last long and it was left to Cooper and Frenay to rebuild the innings. Frenay enjoyed the indifferent bowling and short boundaries as the runs began to flow and Cooper soon found his feet as he plundered Titanic’s strike bowler for a string of boundaries. The pair put on 96 runs for the 5th wicket in just 12 overs and with the win insight Frenay (79) was finally caught behind off a top edge attempting a cultured sweep. Rob Willoughby (14*) ended the game with 12 balls to spare with a 6 and a 4 and Mitchell Cooper completed a fine all round display finishing unbeaten on 32*.
This was a fine victory for Reed with an inexperienced side showing great skill in all areas of the game. With notable performances coming from Tidey, F. Martin, Cooper and Frenay.
