The Sunday XI made their annual trip to Aston with the usual mixture of juniors and “veterans”. Aston batted first which suited the Reed fielders. Parker and Cowell got things rolling but had a slice of luck when Jack Childs threw-down the wicket of Cowell from 20 yards only to be judged Not out. Soon after, Childs had revenge by having him caught behind by Bowman. Former Reed Colt, Michael Fox, was number 3 and played well for 27 until driving in the air to be caught and bowled by MJE Baker, the first of 3 wickets for the Reed skipper. Meanwhile, Graham Stuart showed some stamina by bowling 8 straight overs for only 23 runs in his first outing of the season. Thereafter there was a procession of comings and goings as Josh Conley picked-up 3 wickets for 19 and Steve Hughes 2 more whilst Baker made further inroads including another sharp catch from his own bowling. Youngster, Richard Stuart also bowled a good line and length and he was rewarded with a wicket near the end. The Aston innings of 182 had been dominated by Parker who completed a century (108) before Hughes had trapped him LBW.
Reed’s reply was soon under way as both Peter Baker and Jack Childs (19) found the boundary putting on 60 for the opening stand. Joined by hard-hitting son, Marcus, the score went to 90 for 3 when the elder Baker was caught for 29.
MJE Baker hit nine 4s and one 6 then skied one to be caught for 62. At that stage, with 34 required from 7 overs and 5 wickets in-hand, Reed were still in a comfortable position. Strategically placed at number 7, Rhodri Hughes then took up the cudgel and biffed 26, mostly through or over mid-wicket but mis-judged a second run and was marginally short of his ground when Reed needed only 3 more runs for victory. 180 was not added to as the final two wickets fell on the same score. Aston had won by just 2 runs.
Report submitted by PGB.
