After a tough defeat to Sawbridgeworth the previous week, the Thirds were in need of a win to get their promotion campaign back on course. The conditions at Welwyn on first arrival seemed far from a summer’s day due to the overcast conditions and wet outfield. Nevertheless the will of men to play cricket is a stubborn one, Welwyn won the toss and insisted on fielding first.
Captain Peter Baker and Aiden Swain headed out and started at a steady pace but eventually the first wicket fell with the score on 29, Baker (19) putting one up in the air. Swain (65) however continued a fine innings to reach his second half century in successive weeks. Impressive middle order performances from Matt Bowles (38), Masseh Naeem (21) and Ben Bowles (28) gave substance to the total, Reed’s batsmen playing well in the poor conditions. Reed finished their 47 overs on 233 for 9, Ian Roberts (1*) and Rupert Martin (21*), in a valuable role, prevented the Welwyn bowlers taking that last wicket. Of the bowlers Fitzgerald (12-1-69-4) stood out.
The Welwyn innings saw Martin strike early yet again in his second over, M.J.E. Baker taking a low reaction catch at first slip. For Martin (16-0-71-3) that was just the beginning as he and Roberts (14-2-59-3) took three apiece as they, Mitchell Cooper (7-0-24-1) and Ben Bowles (5-0-40-1), attacked the Welwyn batting. The bowlers were supported by a determined field with smart catches by P. Baker and M. Cooper as well as Alan Ward performing admirably behind the stumps.
Batsmen Primardo (66), Fitzgerald (35), Byford (32) and Tanner (27) made a good fight of it as Welwyn came within touching distance of the required total, but an outstanding throw from the outfield from Swain bought an end to this close finishing match. Reed won by 12 runs with one over remaining.
