Reed’s 2nd XI quest for successive promotions marched on in style when they visited Letchworth 3s on Saturday.
The early rain cleared and the hosts elected to bat on what looked a belting pitch, as Reed opened up the bowling with the evergreen Peter Tidey and young seemer Jack Caine. Caine started impressively, removing the dangerous looking opener with a impressive delivery. Tidey was keeping things tight from the other end, and pressure gradually mounted on the Letchworth batsmen resulting in Phil Frenay completing a stunning run out to leave the hosts 30-2. Tidey then got in on the act taking 2 wickets as Reed began to strangle their hosts.
However, a solid partnership ensued and Letchworth were able to steadily make their way into 3 figures. The fast outfield, old ball and increasingly flat track made runs easier to come by as Reed’s bowlers began to toil. Karl Ward and Tidey continued plugging away, but it was the introduction of young spinner Reece Fitzgerald that did the trick as he stemmed the flow of runs and snared a couple of wickets. This allowed Reed to expose the Letchworth tail end, and Tidey was able to pick up 2 further wickets as the hosts reached their allotted 53 overs with a solid looking 202-8.
Reed opened up with Phil Frenay and Matt Bowles as they set about chasing down the large total. Frenay began in fine style, continuing his recent good form by finding the boundary with ease. He was well supported by Bowles as they negotiated the new ball and progressed the score to 50 before Bowles was caught in stunning fashion, trying to work the ball into the leg side. Undeterred, and now supported by Fergus Martin, Frenay continued his mission as he reached 50 unscathed. Martin was also beginning to find his feet, and at the drinks break Reed looked to be well on course to reach their target. Frenay and Martin used drinks to up the pace and soon upped the run rate with measured hitting and good running. Frenay soon moved into the 90s and looked all set for his maiden Reed century when he was given out LBW agonisingly close o his personal milestone, perishing for 98.
Mike Robertson entered the fray with Reed requiring 40 runs from 12 overs. Robertson soon set about taking the game to the hosts as he looked to wrap things up in double quick time. Robertson (27 Not Out) plundered 6×4’s as Martin also continued to accumulate runs well. With just one run needed to win, Martin faced up on 49 Not Out, only for the Letchworth bowler to bowl a bouncer that went over both batsman and wicket keeper to give Reed an 8 wicket win with overs to spare.
The emphatic win keeps Reed top of the pile in SHCL 6 and keeps Marcus Martin’s men’s hopes of successive well and truly alive.
