Reed III versus Hertford IV at Freman College on Saturday 23rd July 2016.
Hertford’s openers, Page, (67), and Mohanmurthy, (22), set-off at 6 an over in a partnership of 78 as Reed ‘s bowlers struggled to find their lines and lengths. Mohammed, Spring and Riddle, (72,) continued the onslaught until the declaration came in the 49th over when the score was 293 for 7. Having maintained a run-a-ball throughout their innings, the standout figures of veteran swinger, Ian Roberts, were marvellous. He returned 3 batsmen to the pavilion for only 18 runs off 8 overs, (that is just 2.25 runs per over).
Faced with a massive target, but knowing that the Freman Oval pitch is fast-paced and high-scoring, Reed were undaunted and Rob Willoughby again powered his way past fifty. But with a swap-over between their young all-rounders, Jack Timms and Tom Orchard who shared wicket-keeping and bowling roles and accounted for 5 wickets between them, Reed found themselves at 98 for 7 with Willoughby out for 66.
Then came a major recovery. First, Joe Graves, (26), supported skipper, Michael Robertson batting at number 9, and added 76 for the 8th wicket before becoming the third of Pizzey’s 3 wickets. The left-handed Robertson hit 7 boundaries and 2 sixes in his first 50 runs and was then joined by Josh Conley. In an amazing Third XI record-breaking 9th wicket partnership, Conley outscored his captain in their 11 overs together and registered his maiden half-century. His 53 included 6 fours and 3 sixes and when he was bowled by Mohammed, Reed required just 16 for victory from 4 further overs. Robertson took a single to take him to a splendid 94, then number 11 Roberts hit a 4 through point, but Mohammed had the last word when he clean-bowled Roberts winning the match for Hertford by just 11 runs at ten minutes past eight in the evening. Such a narrow margin was hardly envisaged 2 hours earlier.
Reed III (17 points) lost to Hertford IV (30 points) by 11 runs.
Report submitted by PGB.
