Reed III’s travelled across Herts to face bottom of the table Northwood Town II’s. Northwood, batting first, got of to a good start, as Fozan Haji (68) and Ravi Ramawat (25) worked the bowling of Joe Graves (11-2-39-1) and Mike Robertson (6-0-33-0) Robertson struggled to find his line, and was soon replaced by Neil Haslam (15-5-31-2) who put pressure on the batsmen, eventually forcing an error Ramawat. Amish Unalkat (39) continued to push the total, until a flighter from Matt Naeem (6-0-47-2) had Fozan caught in the deep by Graves. Sumeet Khetia (4) was quickly dismissed, and the addition of Robert Willoughby to the attack (6-0-22-2) saw Amish and Tarang Katira (10) fall victim to his beguiling spin. After a brief display of confident strokes Muzammil Wasi was bowled by Graves, as Cheesewright (19) continued to plug away.
Naeem picked up the wicket of Motiwala (6), through further flighty bowling. With Malik (1) and Cheesewright still at the crease, Northwood chose to declare on 235-7 from 51 overs.
Reed’s response began with less confidence as Rhodri Hughes (6) was dismissed by Parmar (10-2-21-1). Willoughby (22) and the youthful Mike Catt (38) began to build a partnership but the former was bowled by Wasi (5-0-24-1). Catt and Skipper Mike Robertson pushed on the total, hitting boundaries freely, however a lapse in concentration saw Robertson caught off the bowling of Khetia (12-1-50-3). Catt and Peter Baker (4) quickly followed as Patel (7-1-19-3) brought some pace to the attack. Maseeh Naeem (24) looked strong, however father and son John and Ed Kershaw struggled to support him. Joe Graves (14) looked to have the measure of the bowling, but Naeem became Khetia’s third victim. Matt Naeem (2*) attempted to hold on however he ran out of partners as Graves was bowled by Sajeed (10.4-1-38-2), and eleventh man Haslam was adjudged LBW with 5 overs remaining. Reed III’s all out for 170.
Report submitted by Michael Robertson.
