Reed 2nd XI struggled again this week. The visitors lost the toss and were put on to bat. The wicket looked like a good one and losing the toss wouldn’t make much difference. Openers Baz Curtis and Ben Bowles made a solid start against some tight bowling. The pair had put on 24 before R. Stevenson struck. Curtis was next to go for 19 with the score on 33. Reed managed only 57 runs by drinks in the 27th over, losing 5 wickets. Marcus Baker and Richard Barlow added promising 30 before Barlow was removed for 6. Things looked brighter when Baker and Alex Kelly started to move the ball around nicely and with some good running put on 37. Baker reached a well deserved 50, but the innings run out of steam and Reed were left 139 all out, one run short of 2 vital batting points.
Reed’s bowlers have done well this season and it looked they may deliver again. Tom Walsingham struck in the first over to leave the home side 0-1. Baker and Pepper had other ideas and with some very positive batting raced to 90 before Pepper was removed by Alex Kelly. Rupert Martin had Ward stumped for a duck and it looked like Reed may have a sniff, but Baker reached his 50 before being bowled by Martin for 51. Ryan and Spinks made sure their was no mishaps for the home side and they reached their target with 6 wickets to spare.
