Jackson Chris-ens New Season with a Half Century and a Win
Reed 1st XI Vs Hornsey 1st XI (played at The Green, Reed)
Date: Saturday 23 April 2016
Match Type: Friendly
Toss won by Hornsey who elected to field
Result: Reed won by 11 runs
Reed CC 173 for 9 (40 overs) C Jackson 55, T Greaves 31
Hornsey CC 162 for 9 (40 overs) T Greaves 3 for 35, E Wharton 2 for 15
Tom Greaves officially starts his reign as 1st XI captain on the field on May 5 when his side travel to Stevenage for the first league game of the season. His side look to have prepared well over the winter winning their opening friendly of the season against a strong Hornsey 1st XI by 11 runs.
Paul Weekes, formally a professional cricketer for Middlesex CC between 1990 and 2006, called correctly at the toss and elected to field which seemed sensible as the conditions were suitable for swinging the ball and the wicket offered assistance to bowlers who could move the ball off the seam. Hornsey took advantage of the conditions and removed the Reed top three cheaply. But a solid 71 run partnership between Chris Jackson (55) and Tom Greaves (31) helped steady the ship and rebuild the innings. Sean Tidey chipped in with a quick fire 25 and everyone else contributed to help Reed get to a competitive total of 173 for 9 after 40 overs.
Reed took to the field in the knowledge that if they bowled and fielded well, then 173 would be a competitive total with a wicket that still offered enough to the bowlers. Debutant Ed Wharton (2 for 15) soon extracted something from the wicket as he opened his account with two early wickets. The Bedfordshire opening bowler looks to be a useful addition to the squad. Bowling at pace with good control he swung the ball and made it very difficult for the Hornsey batsman to get settled.
The prospect of him bowling in tandem with Jack Tidey is one which fills the Greaves with excitement. “Jack and Ed will be an excellent opening partnership and with what we have to support them we hope to put lots of pressure on batting line ups throughout the year”
Greaves (3 for 35) took wickets at regular intervals which made it very difficult for any Hornsey batsman to impose themselves on the game. He was ably assisted at the other end by Mitchell Cooper who bowled 5 overs, conceding just 7 runs. Greaves added, “Cooper was very unlucky not to get a wicket. It seems fatherhood has improved his line and length!”
With all the bowlers bowling well, Hornsey never got in a position to get close to Reed’s total of 173 and finished 11 runs short.
The 1st XI have another friendly next Saturday and start their National T20 campaign against Chorleywood on Bank Holiday Monday before the league season starts the following week and Greaves is looking forward to hitting the ground running. “The lads seem enthusiastic and look in good shape which is all a captain can ask for during pre-season. I just want to get going now!”
Report submitted by Alex Mutucumarana.
