Having completed their 2014 League fixtures, Reed 4th XI hosted Ickleford 3rds in a Friendly at the Freman College Oval. The Division 10 side batted first with their openers comfortably putting-on 166 for the first wicket although it was only in the latter part of their partnership that they accelerated the run rate to 5 per over.
Soon after, Owen Hughes returned for a second spell and ended with figures of 3 for 40 from 10 overs; Zac Conley was inexpensive conceding 28 runs from 9 overs whilst there was a wicket each for Ben Moody and Ollie Mansfield. Ickleford declared at 259 for 6 with half-centuries from Howard, Persey and S Norrington.
Captain Peter Baker was caught off the first ball of Reed’s innings and a second wicket fell in that same first over. Josh Conley, 25, and Lloyd Bowman, 18, applied the sticking plaster as they took the score to 62 before both fell to consecutive deliveries from Webb who eventually finished with 5 for 32.
After that Reed’s young players did their best to keep-out the Ickleford bowlers but wickets fell at regular intervals. Ben Moody made 10, Owen Hughes 14, and debutant Benji Mansfield a quick 8 by finding the boundary twice in two balls, but he was caught off the next delivery as Reed slipped to 109 all out.
Reed IV lost to Ickleford III by 150 runs.
