Reed’s 2nd XI travelled to Totteridge Millhillians to open their league campaign. Surprisingly after winning the toss Totteridge decided to put the visitor into bat. Skipper Baz Curtis opening with yet another Heslam in his career at Reed, this time William, soon put bat to ball and had raced to 18 before he went for one shot too many and was LBW for 18. Despite more caution from the young opener he was deceived by a slower ball and became Low’s second wicket.
This brought in Richard Johnson who along with Stuart Smith showed all their experience. They put the bad ball away and with some good running took Reed from 36-2 to 92. Reed looked in control and a good total looked on the card when Smith was then unexpectedly bowled for a fine 33. Phil Freney joined Johnson and was slow to get going, but became more fluent as his innings went on. He was very unlucky to be adjusted LBW for 16. 124-4 at the half way stage wasn’t too bad. Johnson passed 50 and then put the ball into the car park as he looked to take charge against the spinners. An good piece of fielding put paid to Karl Ward who was run out for 6. Johnson then tried to put the ball back into the car park, but we well caught by a diving catch in the deep.
Suddenly it was 160-6 and the maximum batting points of 200 looked a long way off, despite their being 17 overs to go. Suddenly it was 166-8 and Reed were in deep trouble. Youngsters Mitchell Cooper and Jack Tidey showed experience beyond their years and slowly but surely got Reed closer to that 200 mark. Never really looking troubled, and making sure the bad ball was put away they put on 43 for the 9th wicket. Tidey 29 and Cooper 13 got Reed to 200 and even moved the score to 209-8 when the overs ran out.
After a spanish tea and a inquisition into the middle order collapse Reed set about trying to win the game. The home side were confident of victory. Jack Tidey opened the attack with Kallum Ward. Ward took a wicket with his first ball and bowled an excellent opening spell taking 1-18 off his sever overs. Peter Tidey replaced the younger Tidey and was on the spot from his first ball. A soon struck after some fine glove work from another Tidey, this time Sean. He had the bails off after a great leg side take and got a tight decision having the dangerous Nathansen stumped for 47. Old Tidey then stuck again, bowling Book for 15 and suddenly Reed were back in it. Suddenly the sun disappeared the the clouds gathered and drizzle started to fall.
It got heavier, but Reed managed to get in the last few balls of the 26th over before the umpires took the players in. 26 overs bowled in the second innings meant the game was played and not abandoned. This cost the home side 7 extra points. Reed went how with 13. Both Captains agreed the game could have gone either way at that point.
