It was a heavy defeat Reed forced upon Cockfosters at Freman College when they played with dominant aggression and precision. With showers forecast Reed wanted a quick win and therefore took the gamble to insert the visitors.
A superb opening bowling display by Tom Walsingham and George Garrott saw Cockfosters struggle to make runs, both were quickly finding the troubling lines. The mandatory, age related bowling change then saw Walsingham replaced by Mike Robertson, who soon upset the batsmen with some accurate short bowling. Garrott (11-3-22-0) then made way for Karl Ward who also quickly had the ball in all the right areas. The early efforts of Garrott and Walsingham proved the crucial set up for the partnership of Robertson and Ward as the first change bowlers began to take wickets. The bowlers were well supported by their colleagues as catches were taken by Richard Barlow and Rob Lankaster.
The dreaded rain then descended on Buntingford and the players sought shelter. An early tea was decided upon whilst the heavy stuff came down. With the exquisite teas finished a return to play was called for and Reed and Cockfosters came back out with both teams losing 7 overs to the downpour. The hosts were soon enough back in the business of taking wickets, with Marcus J.E. Baker taking a catch behind off Walsingham whose second spell proved destructive. Cockfosters made it to the end of their innings with a score of 117 for 8 with one player missing. Robertson (10-3-16-3) and Walsingham (14-7-22-3) each took three whilst Karl Ward (8-1-18-2) had also done well in what was a very impressive display from the bowlers.
Baz Curtis and M.J.E. Baker knew a strong opening partnership from them was crucial to the team’s success. Last week Reed had struggled chasing another low score but with the added threat of another possible rain interruption Curtis and Baker anxiously went out. The visitors started with a left arm over and a right arm around, but after a cautious first three overs Baker let loose with three consecutive boundaries followed by a two, taking fourteen from the over. Baker and Curtis both did this on multiple occasions as they raced to 64 from 8 overs when Cockfosters took pace off the ball. The two big hitters enjoyed this less and whilst the scoreboard continued to tick over rapidly the work was being done thanks to good running rather than aggressive shots. Edwards (4-0-24-0) especially was unlucky as all the runs coming off the bat went through the vacant first slip position. Baker then reached his half century and after a succession of big hits through the on-side finished with 65 not out. Baz Curtis hit the winning runs, himself on 39 not out as Reed completed the ruthless 10 wicket win over Cockfosters, in just 15.5 overs. This takes Reed into second place in the division.
