Reed IV’s maintained there unbeaten start to the league season with a good win away to Hatfield Hyde III’s.
After winning the toss, Reed bowled first and in just the second over of the afternoon Matt Yates calmly collected one which was chipped back at him for the first wicket. Two balls later Matt Giblin (9-1-26-1) got in on the act, and when Matt Yates (6-1-17-2) got another, Reed were in ascendancy with Hatfield Hyde 10-3.
Hudson (21) and Whitton rebuilt the innings before Zac Conley (9-1-22-4) took two in two balls following two catches behind by wicketkeeper Lloyd Bowman. Reed were impressive in the field and runs were hard to come by and as Hatfield tried to up the run-rate Conley took his third wicket following a great catch by young Jonny Adam.
It must be said, Whitton (57) batted superbly before Conley again claimed his fourth wicket, and then Alan Ward (8-2-21-1) restricted Hatfield’s tail as they finished on 138-8.
Following the interval, Rhodri Hughes and Bill Mansfield opened up for Reed and both looked comfortable from the offset and were regularly punishing mistakes in the field to keep the scoreboard ticking over nicely.
With the scoreboard at 46-0 Mansfield was the first to depart following the introduction of Whitton which brought the returning Sam Deville to the crease.
Deville was lost for 8, however Rhodri Hughes remained and soon brought up his first 50 of the season and was well supported by Alan Ward (20) who squashed any doubt of victory.
Reed chased down the total from just 23 overs finishing on 139-3 with both Hughes (54*) and Conley (9*) not out , to ensure Reed IV’s claimed maximum points for the third time this season.
