Previous to this game Reeds Sunday Friendly XI had played three, won two, lost one. Having analysed these matches Reeds skipper Marcus J.E. Baker came to the conclusion that whether a win or a loss, whether close finishing or not, all three games entertained till the end. Reeds fourth fixture fell into line with this trend.
With The Green occupied with Village cup game against Langlebury Reeds second pitch was used to host Hertford at Freman College, Buntingford. Hertford legend Eric Riddle won the toss and chose to bat first. As usual runs were a-plenty on Freman’s quick outfield. Despite the visitors early success they were kept in check by the two wickets from Joe Graves and the superb line and movement of Jonathan Lankaster. Making his debut for Reed the youngster enticed the edge more the once for several close and missed chances.
Taking pace off the ball seemed to slow down Hertford as Reed protected the boundaries. Sam Rice also managed to take two wickets with him whilst M.J.E. Baker chipped in with one himself. The slow bowlers had brought Reed back into the game. However, at the crease was the veteran Riddle who played a captains knock and reached three figures before the innings close.
Ed Kershaw took the only other wicket to fall thanks to a sharp stumping from Rob Lankaster. Hertford’s 255 for 6 was about par for the ground which the Reed batsman kept in mind as they started their reply.
However, the reply never really got going. After an early loss R. Lankaster had to work hard with opener Rob Willoughby to keep Reed up with the run rate. Their quick running gave the hosts the platform to expand their stroke play later in the innings. Unfortunately, R. Lankaster fell caught for 42. After him came a succession of batsman who made little impact or only made starts. Willoughby persisted with his various partners and made 59 before also falling.
The entertainment previously mentioned came on this occasion from the resilient tenth wicket partnership between Sam Rice and debutant Jonathan Lankaster. Lankaster in particular put away some very nice boundaries away in making an undefeated 29. Reed however, were all out for 179.
