Reed IVs dropped lower in the Division as a result of their poor showing in the match against Watford Town on Saturday. A contentious umpiring decision that went in favour of Watford’s opening batsman who went on to make 76 did not help Reed’s cause but after that the fielders did not support the bowlers and spilled 5 catches as Watford compiled 243 for 5 at the declaration after 45 overs. Christian Martin found some form by taking 3 for 40. Young leg-break bowler, Rhoddri Hughes, snared the other 2 wickets to fall. Cemal Ramadan fielded brilliantly and must have saved an estimated 25 runs in the outfield by his committed chasing, retrieving and throwing.
Needing a solid start, the worst happened as skipper, Peter Baker, drilled a long-hop towards the bowler’s head in the second over of Reed’s innings and he managed to cling-on to the catch. Richard Robertson, (14), stayed for a while but everyone else apart from young Ramadan failed to pass 7. Cemal simply had fearless fun and scored 40 out of Reed’s final total of 74. After a defeat to Hatfield Hyde, an abandoned match and this loss to Watford Town, Reed IVs have notched-up only 15 points in the last three matches. Midway through the season, they now need to start putting some consistently good performances together to re-establish their standing if they hope to contest a promotion spot.
Reed IV 0 points; Watford Town III 30 points.
