Reed 4 finished the season with a fine victory over Shenley Village 4 at Freman. Skipper Rob Willoughby lost the toss and was asked to bowl.
Reed opened with father son combination Owen Hughes and Steve Hughes. Both bowling tight lines and backed up by good fielding helped keep the run rate down. Owen picked up the wicket of Shenley captain bowled in the last ball of his first spell. Shenley started to build a good partnership until Rob W picked up his first wicket. Wickets then fell at regular intervals with Owen (2-40) and Steve (1-26) each picking up a wicket in their second spells. Graham Stuart bowled a good spell on his return from injury picking a wicket for 28 runs. Young bowler Jag Lalli then combined well with wicket keeper Ben Moody to firstly get a caught behind and then a stumping in his first over finishing on 2-17. Rob W then picked up the last wicket to finish on 2-28. Shenley posted 182 all out in 44 overs leaving Reed an additional 3 overs.
Reed opened with Rob W and Lalli for second week running and both looked assured against the Shenley opening spin attack. Lalli was very unlucky to be out played on for the second week running for 4. This brought the classy Sam Deville to the crease. Rob W and Deville put on a partnership of 98, frequently hitting the boundary. When Deville was out for 44 Reed were on 120 and only needed 63 more to win. John Kershaw and Lloyd Bowman both supported Rob W well picking up 6 and 11 respectively. Rob W was then controversially run out by a direct hit for 94. However Reed were now in a match winning position needing only 17 to win. It was left to Moody (2 n.o) Owen (6) and Stuart (4 n.o) to knock the runs off with ease and secure the win.
A good performance by all ensured a good finish to the league campaign, The season saw a number of debuts to adult cricket for players from the colt section to ensure the conveyor belt of first team players continues. Thanks must also go to the “tea ladies” Tina Hughes, Ann Garrott, and Vanessa Stubbs. Sorry If anyone was missed!!
