Newly appointed Reed IIIs skipper Michael Robertson saw his side get off to the perfect start in the league with victory away to Berkhamsted IIs.
Having lost the toss on a cloudy and chilly day over at Berkhamsted, Robertson’s charges were unsurprisingly invited to bat first by the hosts. 2014 batsman of the year Richard Barlow opened up alongside the mercurial Richard Johnson as Reed got off to a good start against some probing bowling. Both batsmen looked in good touch as they progressed the score past 50, when a mix up in the middle resulted in Barlow being run out.
Johnson was then joined by promising all-rounder Jack Caine, who wasted no time in punishing any wayward deliveries as he progressed to a quick fire 18, before he became the first victim of Berkhamsted’s impressive spin pair. Matt Bowles went without troubling the scorers soon after, again offering a catch off of a spinner, as Reed wobbled. Undeterred, Johnson stylishly brought up his half century as skipper Robertson decided attack was the best form of defence up the other end. Robertson, who was given a life on just 1, punished the home bowling anytime they overpitched. Robertson shot to 33 before he was cleaned up by the returning opening bowler. This triggered a collapse in the Reed order, with Johnson going for an excellent and stylish 66, and Maseeh Naeem, Steve Hoy and debutant Aidan Woodcock also falling without adding much to the score.
With his side wobbling on 150-8, George Garrott set about counter-attacking his way to a blistering 44 Not Out, ably supported by a stubborn Steve Hughes at the other end. Garrott’s knock looked to be crucial as he dragged Reed’s score to 199-8 off of their allotted 50 overs.
Having seen that the pitch was offering plenty to the bowlers if the ball was put in the right areas, Robertson and Woodcock then set about savaging the Berkhamted top order. Aided by some very sharp slip catching from Steve Hoy, Woodcock was especially impressive as he beat the bat time and time again on his way to the remarkable figures of 10-3-13. Robertson too returned hugely impressive bowling figures, with his two spells resulting in 10-3-8.
Berkhamsted did offer some middle order resistance to briefly reignite their hopes, despite youngster Owain Hughes bowling with impressive control. However, when Garrott found his line and claimed his only scalp and the exciting Jack Caine came on to take 2 quick wickets, it was left to Robertson to clean up the tail and leave Berkhamsted shell shocked, all out for 82.
