Reed II’s were left frustrated in their attempt to win a 3rd consecutive game under new skipper Marcus Martin. This despite having 4 changes to the top 6 who have performed so well thus far in 2013. Having won two and drawn one of their opening three league games, Martin lost the toss and was surprised to be put into bat by visitors Southgate Adelaide on a typically good looking Reed track. Opening pair, the veteran Ben Bowles and the returning Fergus Martin went about their task in a ‘steady’ fashion. Over 50 runs were on the board when Bowles departed for a well made 24. Fergus was then joined in the middle by brother Marcus as the younger of the two siblings continued to show form with the bat as he dispatched the bad ball with aplomb. His elder brother showed how to play the cut shot. After the departure of Marcus Martin for a solid 29, another returnee to the 2nd team strode purposefully to the middle.
Michael Robertson, who hadn’t played a 2nd team league game in over 4 years, set about batting in the manner he is noted for. A couple of towering 6s and hard hot 4s elevated the Reed scoring rate, and took the team above 100. With Fergus continuing with his own game at the other end, Reed began to look like they were in a strong position at 120-3 with 18 Overs still to bat in the innings. Fergus eventually departed for a classy 64, and Robertson’s stay at the crease ended soon after for 33 as the score moved quickly towards the 200 mark, and the full 10 batting points for the home side. The 3rd comeback kid, Simon Jackson (11*) then showed his experience and class as he worked the ball around and turned 1’s into 3’s, whilst ensuring that the in-form Roddi Liebenberg was able to get enough strike to bludgeon the hapless bowlers to all parts. Liebenberg fell for 26, and after a late ‘wag’ of the Reed tail, most notably from the balding Rupert Martin (14), Reed were able to post a par score of 222-8 at the halfway stage. In reply, the visitors started steadily with the miserly Peter Tidey and uncle Toby Fynn bowling well. Fynn was first to strike, snaring the opener with a good ball that took his outside edge and carried through to ‘keeper Tim Tidey.
Soon after, Pete Tidey got in on the act as Reed made early inroads into the visitors attack. The receding Rupert Martin then replaced Fynn and instantly swung the game strongly in Reed’s favour by taking 2 quick wickets. With the onus on the visitors to chase the score, having only collected 3 bowling points, Reed sniffed victory. Rupert Martin (4-32) was in fine form, and continued to pick up wickets at crucial times. Peter Tidey also got his 2nd wicket, but bizarrely Southgate elected not to bother trying to chase the target, or any significant batting points, as they shut up shop for the last 25 Overs. Marcus Martin tried to buy a wicket by using himself and later Ben Bowles as bowlers, but they couldn’t get the opposition batsman to bite, as they showed a stern resistance and no real sign of throwing their wickets away. A run out on the last ball did give Reed their 8th wicket, but it was too little too late as both sides had to settle for a draw. Reed finished with 18 points and Southgate made the lengthy trip back down the A1 with 4 points. Match yawn.
