A much welcomed return to winning ways for Reed’s Third Eleven was brought about by some fantastic performances. The whole side did a great job in the first innings in the field which was followed up by some superb knocks after tea.
Reed was hosting Knebworth Park IV at Freman College and for only the second time this season Maseeh Naeem lost the toss. The opposition captain decided to bat first as Lewis Fitzgerald and Jack Caine got loose. Caine (2-26) in particular looked in a threatening mood and it only took his second delivery to produce the first wicket, thanks to Marcus J.E. Baker who whipped off the bails to remove Jones stumped without troubling the scorers. A second wicket partnership of 62 formed but Reed remained positive in the field. Reece Fitzgerald (4-34), replacing his elder brother Lewis (0-46), bowled a magnificent spell of off spin. Giving very little width, he not only dried up the runs but took wickets as he bowled two and took two thanks to catches from brother Lewis and Ray Kingshott. This combined with Ian Roberts (2-25) in deadly form as usual saw Reed reduce the visitors to 108 for 7. Trouble arose however as S. Carmody and R. Evans formed a stubborn partnership. They added 56 together before Maseeh Naeem removed Evans (18) thanks to a catch from his son Matt. Knebworth Park eventually finished on 195 for 9, all out due to being a player short.
The target was perhaps more than it should have been but none the less on the Freman track certainly not an impossible one. M.J.E. Baker played positively but paid the price for his attacking tactics after miss hitting one and being caught for only 12. Fellow opener Baz Curtis meanwhile looked a lot more in control at the other end. Playing the ball well he looked like he was building a big innings but ended up bowled for 24. Rhodri Hughes at number 3 again put in a crucial innings as he proves himself in the third eleven. Starting cautiously he waited to get his eye in and then proceeded to play some well placed shots in making 27. The score at Hughes loss was 98 for 3, with Jack Caine coming to the wicket Reed could not afford any kind of slip or collapse. Fortunately Caine is far too skilled to allow that. Playing a mature innings beyond his years in partnership with Ray Kingshott, Caine kept patient at the wicket waiting for the bad ball to put away. Kingshott too looked in excellent form as he racked up numerous boundaries. The pair added an undefeated 101 together and took Reed over the line as clear winners. Kingshott was 67 not out and Jack Caine 51 not out, his maiden adult half century.
This 3 wicket win spells a return to form for the three’s and keeps the promotion chase alive. More performances like this are required in the next four matches.
