Reed II’s went down to Welwyn Garden city III’s on Saturday, despite a record breaking partnership and their highest batting score of the season so far.
Captain Jason Archer won the toss and elected to bat at Welwyn. Reed sent in openers Ben Bowles and Fergus Martin to build their total, and the opening stance was a slow yet solid. The score was moving towards the half century mark when a mix up left Martin scrambling towards the strikers end, where unfortunately a sharp piece of fielding led to him being run out for 21. This brought new boy Mark King to the crease, and in conjunction with Bowles a new Reed II’s highest 2nd wicket partnership was set.
Almost 150 runs were scored before the next wicket went down, with Ben Bowles falling agonisingly short of a half century, on 48 when he was given out LBW. In the mean time King had raced along, and with some wonderful timing and good shot selection had given the WGC bowlers a torrid time. King reached his half century and then his first Reed century in short time.
King progressed to 127, before he pulled a hamstring and was forced to retire hurt. Ian Fulk (17) and Chris Shorrock (16 Not Out) added valuable extra runs to the Reed score as they posted what looked to be a a daunting 249-3 in their allotted 53 overs.
Reed’s task of defending their total was dealt a blow before it got going when ‘keeper/batsmen King was unable to continue after his hamstring injury, sustained when batting, proved too painful. This meant Reed were left with one man down in the field, and with a part time wicket keeper. Matt Bowles was forced to don the gloves for the 1st time since u15’s.
Despite being up against it, Reed’s opening bowlers were superb. Shepard, and in particular Allsopp bowled a brilliant line and length and were unlucky to have come away with no wickets. Allsopp’s 12 overs yielded just 16 runs for the batting side. Richard Robertson did finally make a breakthrough for Reed with the WGC score still under 100, but just as Reed had done earlier in the day, WGC built a stunning 2nd wicket partnership. Driver, WGC’s record ever runs scorer, and WGC III’s captain Willis showed their class, and took Welwyn home with an over to spare. Driver ending the day on a magnificent 130 Not Out, and his partner Willis on 70 Not Out.
This gave Welwyn an astounding 9 wicket victory, leaving Reed scratching their heads as to how they managed to play so well yet lose in such a manor.
