Reed Third Eleven won a tough match in the full glare of the July sun. Reed had travelled down to Hatfield to face Hatfield and Crusaders III’s. Maseeh Naeem won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first. The added factor of the scorching heat made fielding first undesirable.
Opening pair Ben Bowles and Marcus J.E. Baker had a cautious start as the hosts starting attack found some early movement. Baker clipped a couple off his legs before a straighter delivery caught his edge and saw him return to the hutch for 15. The left handed Rob Lankaster played some nice pull shots scoring 19 before fishing for a wider ball and was also caught soon followed by Bowles, bowled for 9. At 61 for 3 Richie Barlow and Matt Naeem had to start the innings again. Naeem continuing from last week played the supporting role whilst Barlow, having got his eye in started to accumulate runs. The pair put on 48 when Barlow was lost for 29. Crucial knocks from Maseeh Naeem (34) and Jack Caine (28) took Reed to 204 for 8 from their full 53 overs whilst Matt Naeem was 43 not out.
Lewis Fitzgerald (3-21) started with a fantastic opening spell for Reed removing the first 3 of the hosts order. This was followed by a revival as Kalaskar (32) and Butt (30) put on 51 together. The heat was still apparent despite the time being gone 6 o’clock which led to Butt being dropped twice. However, from despair came jubilation as George Garrott (2-25) bowled Butt and two balls later claimed another thanks to an incredible catch in the slips from Maseeh Naeem. This was followed by Reece Fitzgerald removing Kalaskar LBW the next over. Reed had the momentum but it was short lived. Lad and Singh dug in to form another 50+ partnership. The hosts were getting into a potential winning position when Matt Naeem (1-21) picked up the wicket of Singh (21) thanks to Reece Fitzgerald who did the hard work running round from fine leg to take the catch. Reed were desperate for the win so when Maseeh Naeem (2-24) removed Lad (29) and Starr (0) in the same over the job was all but done. It was just left for M.J.E. Baker to catch Jakes (14) off Jack Caine (1-22) to seal the 39 run victory.
