The sun shone, the runs flowed, and the prestigious end of season tour match proved a social and cricketing success.
Invited to bat first on a belter of a home track, openers Martyn Cook and u15 Captain Joey Greenslade got off to a lightening start, with 8 off the visiting captain’s first over, Joey despatching the second ball over the fence at mid wicket. Thus the next 9 overs followed, with the two first teamers enjoying the friendly bowling and the generous fielding. Martyn retired on 51 after facing just 34 deliveries. Joey, having looked assured for his 40, was cut in half by one that jagged back from Sean Tidey. Lee Whiddett (22) and Chris Grenslade (48 off 35) maintained the momentum, as did Tim Hales (44 off 46) as the middle order piled on the runs, bringing up the 200 mark in just the 30th over.
Sam Man and Neal Clarke both hit maximums in breezy cameo knocks as the home side looked to post a massive score, and Michael Farmer weighed in with 2 glorious switch hits for consecutive boundaries as the hosts edged ever closer to 300. Matt Clarke scored a quick fire 20 off just 12 deliveries, but was unable to see his team pass that target.
Following a sumptuous tea, brothers Ben and Sam Carding bowled in tandem, restricting the visitors to just 52 off the first 10, each taking a wicket. Phil Frenay, with 9 boundaries, passed 50, but was out caught behind off Mike Farmer in the same over before he could retire. Ben Bowles also scored a half century, before walking without being adjudged caught at the wicket, on the first ball of Lee Whiddett’s spell, the first of 3 wickets which ripped the heart out of the tourists’ reposte. A quick fire 28 from Sean Tidey, preceded a middle order collapse as Cooper, Fairbrother and Johnson were all dismissed cheaply, Mally Howard also taking a wicket first ball, a fine return catch.
Michael Robertson (42) and Tom Greaves (53) rotated the strike, hitting a few lusty blows after initially blocking out, to bring the visitors within reach of their target, but were undone when an inswinger from Joey Greenslade did for Robertson. When Matt Bowles ran himself out in an effort to get Greaves back on strike it was decided to play last man standing for the final over. A big six was followed by the wicket of Greaves, and Reed lost their first ever game on tour.
With a huge thanks to all involved, from pre match bacon butties, to the day long bar duties, and barbeque cooking in the evening.
