Reed’s Third Eleven had to endure the frustrations of a draw when they hosted Broxbourne III. Masseh Naeem once again won the toss and chose to bat first. The previous days rain did not seem to do any obvious damage to the pitch and another high scoring game was expected.
The oppositions eagerness was clear to see having arrived early and their vocal calls in the field intended to put pressure on the opening pair of father and son duo Peter and Marcus Baker. For the visitors Brooker had got some nice away swing and kept his end quiet, whilst Miller saw M.J.E. Baker hit a couple of well timed shots to the boundary. M.J.E. Baker was then rapped on the jaw by Miller which he did not appreciate too much so in his next over Baker smashed Miller for 16 which his captain did not appreciate too much forcing an early bowling change. Despite M.J.E. Baker’s early dominance he gave his wicket away weakly when caught for 26 at mid-off.
P. Baker (25) continued for some time but was to become the first of Harvey’s four wickets as Reed’s middle order struggled. Sitting precariously at 67 for 4 Richard Barlow then played a determined knock taking Reed out of immediate danger. However, an unlucky catch saw Barlow (15) removed and Reed once again on uncertain ground at 97 for 5 with still over 20 overs to negotiate. Tom Walsingham let his bat do the talking for him. In a well constructed innings, in partnership with Mathew Naeem, Walsingham realised his potential with a superb knock. He timed the ball beautifully in his essential and chanceless innings of 80. He and Naeem had added 83 together taking Reed through the batting points, heading towards 200. But with overs running out Walsingham was lost trying to hit out. Maseeh Naeem (15*) joined his son at the crease and dispatched his first three balls for 10. Reed would close the innings one shy of 200 for 6 with Matt Naeem (16*) finishing not out in his critical, supporting turn.
The Walsingham and Naeem partnership had really upset the opposition and they began to take their frustrations out on each other. Reed therefore knew that as long as they played as a unit they would have the upper hand. Jack Caine and Lewis Fitzgerald opened the bowling for Reed with both bowling some real jaffas. M.J.E. Baker, standing up to Caine then took a catch to remove the first Broxbourne. Meanwhile, Preston started to play some powerful strokes and it soon became apparent that his wicket would be crucial.
A change of bowling from both ends saw Walsingham and Reece Fitzgerald (1-30) continue where their teammates had left off. The pair combined as Reed took two wickets for 0 runs thanks to catches from Barlow and J. Caine. At 50 for 3 and with Preston (27) out Broxbourne were struggling as Reed maintained the pressure with some superb ground fielding. At 62 Walsingham (3-13) removed Middleton (0) and Harvey (0) in consecutive balls. This was however to be the limit of Reeds success despite their best efforts. Even though Ward (36*) continued to play some rash, loose shots he survived along with Pegg (8*) who played the better knock as he defended the visitors from defeat as the game was drawn. Reed thirteen points Broxbourne 6.
