Needing the full 30 points for a win, Captain Peter Baker decided to insert Welwyn banking on his experienced batsman to overhaul any total the visitors posted. That strategy almost came-off as Reed did manage to level the scores only to be thwarted by being unable to score the winning run from the last ball of the match.
It had started badly with a last minute withdrawal meaning Reed went into the game with ten players and within minutes went down to nine when they lost opening bowler, Will Kirby, with a leg injury. Captain Baker finished the over and continued to bowl a further eleven overs to finish with 1 for 37. WGC never took control but were able to bat their full allotment of 47 overs to close their innings on 214 for 8. Ian Roberts took 4 for 39, Christian Martin 2 for 59 and Dominick McOmish 1 for 69.
Reed’s opening pair of Paul Garrott and Peter Baker posted another century partnership at a steady 4.5 runs per over but both they and the number 3 went within 4 overs of each other. Reed then needed 105 from the remaining 18 overs and that they reached 214 was largely due to John Heslam’s well-timed 35, the support he got from Dom McOmish, (18), then the wily stroke placing of Ian Roberts who was 32 not out at the end.
Although the scores were levelled, and Reed had lost fewer wickets, WGC earned 17 points from the match and Reed only 8 thanks to the quirky points scoring system used in the Herts League. That one extra (winning) run to Reed would have been worth another 22 points. With two matches remaining, a promotion place is still possible for Reed, but they must win both games to be in contention.
