Reed’s opening batsmen completed a no-nonsense victory by notching-up the required runs within just 13 overs. Set a target of 58, Freddy Stuart scored 42 not out and Rhodri Hughes, 14 not out, and with the addition of 4 sundries, reached 60 without loss. The match was over by mid-afternoon giving sufficient time to enjoy the fine teas that are a feature of Reed’s 3rd XI and 4th XI matches played at Freman College.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Stevenage had got off to a bad start when both openers had departed by the ninth delivery of the match. More were to follow soon after, and by the time the attack bowlers had completed their respective five-over spells which were shortened by skipper, Peter Baker, because of the boiling heat, Owen Hughes had taken 4 for 17 and Joe Graves, 3 for 17. There was no respite for the visitors. First, Sam Rice, (1 for 5), struck to bowl top-scoring, Shaw, (20), then left-armer, Matt Yates, (2 for 16), returned the final two batsmen to the pavilion with an all-out score of 57. Reed took every chance offered by the batsmen, and it appears that everyone with a surname of either Stuart or Hughes were the beneficiaries. Owen Hughes caught two, as did Freddy Stuart; Graham Stuart and Rhodri Hughes caught one each. In response, Stevenage’s opening bowlers, Bagshaw and Allen, did their utmost, but Reed’s victory was comprehensive.
