Fixture secretary Peter Wholley’s efforts to arrange a opposition for Reeds Sunday friendly XI led to Fives traveling up to the Green. Reed batting first, after the early loss of opener Paul Garrott, found runs not as forthcoming as usual. Richie Barlow and Matt Bowles worked hard to pick the right deliveries from which to score off. With things looking better for Reed and a half-century partnership registered both Bowles (20) and Barlow (34) suddenly found themselves back in the sheds, falling in quick succession. Incoming batsman Jack Caine and Reed captain Marcus J.E. Baker decided to try and take back the initiative with some quick running and big hitting. Baker was beginning to hit his stride with some powerful strokes but fell caught on the long-off boundary, his cameo producing 29.
Caine continued whilst Reeds incoming batsman found run scoring hard to come by with overs gradually running out. Looking to steer Reed to a defendable target Caine was also caught, top scoring in the Reed innings with 35. The final few overs saw the successful partnership of Marcus Martin (21*) and Peter Baker (21*), both normally top order batsmen, scoring in aggressive fashion to reach Reeds final score of 182 for 8.
In the second innings M.J.E. Baker decided to set very attacking fields in an attempt to snare early wickets. Joe Graves bowling seam coming down the hill used his tall frame to trouble the opposition batsman. Meanwhile Sam Rice bowling his chinamans once again proved an effective source of trouble for openers. Graves took two wickets in his six overs for just 20 whilst Rice bowled his full quota of eight. He certainly deserved more than just his single wicket but more importantly the partnership between Rice and Graves had proved effective with 4 wickets taken each for single figure scores (Martin pouncing for a run out).
With the many gaps in the field due to Bakers attacking field runs were still coming along steadily. The fifth wicket partnership was a resilient one and brought Fives back into the game. So with a change of bowling came a more orthodox field. Graham Stuart, replacing Graves, soon made the breakthrough thanks to a good catch by Martin.
An even battle of runs and wickets followed with both sides looking able to win. But it was Caine (2-37) removing Anay (62) and Marcus Martins 3 for 7 mopping up the tail which saw Reed winners by what was in the end a more than comfortable 39 runs.
