Reed 4th XI v Baldock 3rd XI at Freman Oval, 16th July 2016
Baldock won the toss and elected to bat on a warm summer afternoon at Freman. There was a healthy balance of youth and “experience” in the 4th XI today. The opening bowling pair of Matt Yates and Jack Childs restricted the run rate over the early overs, with Childs taking the wickets of an opener and the No 3 batsman. Jake Gifford, replaced Yates, but struggled to find line and length and was quickly replaced by Jack Wilkerson. He deserved a wicket with a dropped catch coming off his bowling. Unfortunately, at the drinks break Matt Yates had to retire from the field having taken a heavy blow on the ankle from a well struck shot. Meanwhile from the town end, Martin Johnson was again tying the batsmen down and finished with 2 – 58 from a 12-over spell. With batsmen risking quick singles, their opening bat (who had spent a fidgety 30+ overs at the crease) was run out on 49 by quick reactions and a direct hit from Jack Childs. Alan Ward replaced Jack Wilkerson and finished with 3 wickets to his name. Johnson took a good catch on the boundary off the bowling of Hughes (2 overs, 1 for 13). Baldock batted for 42 overs, finishing on 191-9. Reed’s captain for the day, Bill Mansfield showed prowess behind the stumps with two of the younger players, Ben Mansfield and Kieran McKinna being very active in the outfield. In between innings both sides enjoyed teas, supplied by Mrs Garrott.
In reply Reed started solidly if somewhat slowly in response to some tight bowling, with Paul Garrott and Johnson opening the innings, scoring 24 off the first 12 overs, with the latter hitting one six in this score. However, they built on their start and accelerated the scoring rate. Johnson went on to reach his 50 and beyond before the partnership was broken on 138. With the return of the Baldock captain and opening bowler to the attack, Garrott was caught at slip. Bill Mansfield, came and went without troubling the scorer, (who was yet again Jerry Yates), followed shortly by Jack Childs, who after two lusty blows was stumped. However, Johnson and Ward saw Reed home in the 38th over to a victory with 3 balls to spare. Ward ensuring that all available singles and twos were run, testing Johnson’s endurance. Martin Johnson was undefeated on 117 at the end of the innings, although the winning run was struck by Ward. If there was to be a man of the match award, then today it would have to have been Martin Johnson.
Report submitted by Steve Hughes.
