Reed 1st XI were unfortunate not to defeat Herts Championship leaders Totteridge Milhillians on Saturday in a closely fought encounter.
Reed won the toss and elected to chase. On a Totteridge Milhillians track that tends to play better than opposing teams might expect and a lightening outfield and short boundaries it was no surprise Totteridge’s fine batting line up got off to a good start. Overseas player Hayden Butterworth (121) and Chris Mason (51) reached 116-0 although they were kept down in run rate particularly once spinners Tom Greaves (18-2-81) and Reece Fitzgerald (11-0-41) came on and bowled very well. During this period Reed suffered a first bit of misfortune when Butterworth received the benefit of the doubt over a possible catch in the gully off the bowling of Jack Tidey (10-1-54) when on 16. Greaves managed to deservedly take two wickets before lunch leaving the home side 134-2 off 34 overs. Unfortunately after lunch Totteridge Milhillians through Butterworth and ex-Derbyshire Steve Selwood (51) kicked on well and reached 226-2 off 47 overs and a big score looked probable. However the determined Reed bowling attack who had bowled pretty well all afternoon had other ideas. Phil Lill (9-3-42) and wicket keeper / off break sensation Sean Tidey (5-3-26) came on and got a couple of crucial breakthroughs which then exposed the Totteridge Milhillians lower middle order who were unable to perform to the level of the top order and the home side collapsed to 264 all out in 58 overs.
This left Reed in a decent position to challenge the total on a free scoring ground, although knowing it would be tricky against the Totteridge spin attack including ex-England captain John Emburey and Butterworth. James and Will Heslam got things off to a very good start reaching 75-0 off 20 overs at tea and an even better position of 121-0 off 31 overs before James Heslam went for 51. However, Will Heslam was now hitting the ball to all parts and he and Rich Wharton moved the score along to 155-1 off 38 overs and Reed were in an excellent position to win the game particularly with Heslam still at the crease. At this point though, Heslam fell to a tight call for a superb 81 and then Wharton, Cooper and Smith fell shortly after. At 165-5 off 43 overs Reed needed to get back on track and this they did as Tom Greaves (19) and Sean Tidey forged an excellent partnership at a good run rate. Again though as things were starting to look very good for Reed at 216-5 off 50 overs another wicket fell and with an element of misfortune as Sean Tidey was caught on the boundary to a ball marginally close to being called a no-ball for an impressive and exciting 41. After this more wickets fell and the wheels came off the Reed chase and the innings ended with the decision to play for the draw for the last two overs 9 wickets down. The final wicket was then soon lost to the sharp spin of Butterworth who claimed a century and 7fer for the home side, not a bad day at the office for him!
A disappointing result for Reed but on another day it could easily have been a different and a lot of positives to take forward for the remaining five games of the season.
