Reed’s Third Eleven faced ultimate disappointment after a heavy defeat playing away to Hatch End. Throughout the day rain threatened whilst strong winds blew across the pitch. Whilst the pitch itself did not hold too many demons the outfield was in such a condition that free scoring runs where not easy to come by.
Batting first Reed’s opening pair of Marcus J.E. Baker and Rhodri Hughes did bat well together. Both proved stubborn in facing the very fast pace of Cunningham who was far too good for division 9. Davies, bowling from the other end was a more familiar pace but his line and length demanded respect, so Baker and Hughes took the cautious route in their scoring.
After making 37 together Baker (23) got a leading edge and lost the battle against Cunningham. Richie Barlow came to the wicket and precisely placed some shots past the tight infield and picked up some useful runs before being LBW for 11. Hughes, meanwhile had continued his diligent innings. In what was probably his sternest examination to date he fended off Cunningham’s pace, short stuff and commentary well. However, he would eventually be caught by Davies off his own bowling for 15. Ray Kingshott chipped in with 11 whilst the rest of Reed’s order collapsed for single digit scores. Davies (5-41) bowled a troubling line throughout whilst Cunningham (5-58) eventually realised that actually bowling at the stumps might be useful. Just the two skilled bowlers were needed to skittle Reed for 106.
In response Reed’s bowlers failed to not bowl the odd boundary ball. Ian Roberts (7-3-14-1) tried his best in the extreme wind but it was not to be his day. Reece Fitzgerald too looked threatening but it was all over far too quickly. A hale of boundaries from Grace (42*) saw the hosts home with the loss of only 2 wickets in just 20 overs.
