The persistent rain outlasted the cricket although both sides tried their best to get a full game in. Reed was once again hosting Knebworth Blues at The Green due to the home side’s original opposition dropping out.
Reed batted first with Australian Sam Fairbrother quickly racing to double figures. The Blues prepared themselves for a long afternoon in the field accompanied by constant heavy drizzle. Somewhat fortunately the sound of Dixie jazz band playing at a local event kept everyone’s spirits high.
The left handed first teamer looked a class above as he reached his half century quickly with ease. His fellow opener was Rhodri Hughes who started playing the supporting role but then began to expand his stroke making having played himself in. Their partnership went passed 100 runs in the 16th over to be followed by the 150 in the 21st and amazingly 200 in the 25th over. By this point Fairbrother had successfully reached the personal mile stone of three figures, his first for Reed. He celebrated with a reverse sweep for a huge six. He then retired for 120. Hughes soon followed him unfortunately having been caught at midwicket for a superb 60. New member Craig Brown then joined in the fun by smashing a quick 32 in a 49 run partnership with Graeme Stuart (10). A few other contributions down the order took Reed to a final total of 265 for 5.
After the break the drizzle had stopped and Reed went about the business of looking for 10 wickets. Matt Yates bowling left arm over soon claimed the first but this however allowed M. Benjamin to come to the crease who started to play some big shots. Matt Giblin had bowled well coming down the hill starting with three maidens but Benjamin started to score freely off both bowlers. Fairbrother was brought onto remove him and achieved this having Benjamin (70) caught by Rhodri Hughes on the midwicket boundary. Josh Conley (1-32), Joe Graves (1-10) and M.J.E. Baker (1-16) each chipped in. The final wicket fell to a returning Yates (2-39) and Reed looked well on top but the rain had returned this time with a vengeance which saw the players shake hands and seek cover. The Blues 136 for 7 from 32 overs.
