Reed’s 2nd XI lost their first league of the season to fellow promotion chasing Codicote. Skipper Marcus Martin won the toss and decided to bat first. Reed got off to a disastrous start losing 4 wickets for just 19 runs, two wickets a piece for Day and Darraji. Rob Lankaster and Marcus Martin set about putting the innings back together. They both settled in and saw off the consistent Darraji. Both put the bad ball away and also started to attack. Lankaster in particular not frightened to hook when needed. The pair had put on 73 when Darraji returned to remove Martin for a very fluent 33. Darraji then took 3 more quick wickets to leave Reed in all sorts of problems. From a decent 92-5 suddenly it was 99-9 when Lankaster was strangled down the leg side for a top scoring 38.
Alex Kelly and Jack Caine weren’t about to give up. Darraji had taken 6-8 in 13 overs, but the pair decided to attack. With 17 overs still to go and 41 needed for a batting point it looked like the home side would be chasing a very low score with lots of overs to get it. Kelly looking like a true Aussie tailender and Caine looking much better than his number 11 position, the pair chipped away. Both managed to find the boundary from time to time, but with some good running they not only got past 140, but also to the next batting point of 155.
Kelly was 23 not out and Caine hit an excellent 29. Reed set the home side 157 to win. They were probably about 50 light, but a good bowling display could still them get a good result.
Karl Ward and Alex Kelly opened attack for Reed. Richards showed the home sides intentions with some positive batting. He took a liking to Kelly, but Ward was bowling with some good control and very little luck. Kelly made fist breakthrough with the score on 22 and Ward removed the dangerous Richards for 29, Caine holding a fine catch at long off. Spencer was now at the wicket and after a difficult start again Ward he moved the score along nicely, finding the boundary too regularly for the visitors liking.
Richard Johnson came into the attack and removed Liversidge for 10, but the home side were still moving along at a quick pace. At 82-3 Reed needed wickets. Fergus Martin bowled McQueen for 7, but that was with only 26 needed. Ward returned to remove Spencer for a fine 83 thanks to a superb catch by Phil Frenay.
Codicote were worthy winners by 5 wickets. They will have to bounce back quickly as they have now dropped out of the top 4 in Division 7.
