Reed continued their promotion push with a convincing 8 wicket win over Welwyn Garden City on Saturday. Having won the toss and electing to bat, Welwyn had no answer for the pace and accuracy of Lee Johnson. Johnson (5-47) picked up the early wicket of Russel in his first over and continued to cause problems for the Welwyn batsman throughout an excellent 14 over spell.
Ably assisted by Jack Tidey and Chris Peckett, Reed cornered Welwyn to 60-8. However, a stubborn rear guard partnership between Lynch and Taylor, and latterly Bridgewater put some respectability on Welwyn’s total. The tail enders pushed the score onto 126 before Tom Greaves (2-15) finally got the better of Lynch, luring him into a big shot after having batted so patiently in a much need innings of 36. Welwyn being bowled out for 126 in 48.1 overs.
Chasing 127 to win, Reed wasted no time in stamping their authority further on the game, which saw openers Heslam and Greaves batting positively before Heslam snicked one to the keeper with the score on 34. Chris Jackson (25*) joined Tom Greaves at the crease and the pair continued the momentum, scoring freely and at relative ease.
Greaves (39) was particularly brutal in dispatching the bad ball, playing a classy innings before he too fell to the useful Stainsby. In the absence of Liam McKechnie, Stuart Smith took the opportunity to cement his place at number four with a fine innings to see Reed home in the 16th over. Smith (45*) arrived at the crease at a difficult time, and having played back the first five deliveries he then scored a devastating 45 in his next 14 deliveries, which included 2 sixes and 7 fours.
The win sees Reed move up to third position, and puts them in an excellent position to chase the leaders down in the remaining 5 games. WGC Scorecard
