Captain Lloyd Bowman won the toss and asked Potters Bar to bat. The 10 Reed cricketers took the field on a hot afternoon. The opening pair of Matt Yates (4-1-14-0) and Jack Childs (18 runs from 7 overs) restricted the run rate, with both openers finding scoring difficult, which was to be the ongoing trend for this match.
Because he was carrying an injury, Yates was replaced by Neil Haslam. The experienced Haslam was economical in his first spell of the afternoon conceding 21 from 8 overs. One of the opening batsmen retired halfway through the innings, feeling unwell. Meanwhile Steve Hughes had started his spell, again restricting the run flow and picking up 3 wickets for 43 from 12 overs, the first from a low full toss that the batsman hit firmly to Yates at mid-on to take a good catch. Bill Mansfield took a sharp low catch behind the wicket to give Hughes his second wicket. At 25 overs, the score was 65-2, then 104-4 at 32 overs. Ben Mansfield did a brilliant job in the outfield, restricting the batsmen to singles with his energy and accurate throws. Toby Emes replaced Haslam and took 2 wickets for 26 from 5 overs, one being Bowman taking a good (almost diving) catch in the covers. Haslam returned to finish off his overs ending with 0 for 50 from 12. Childs took the last wicket to fall producing figures of (9-2-23-1) and Potters Bar finished on 162 for 6 off their full 42 overs.
Reed started slowly in response to some tight bowling, with Paul Garrott and Steve Hoye opening, Hoye, (6), went early, with Bill Mansfield, (1), following shortly afterwards. The theory being that keeping isn’t aiding Bill’s batting at number 3. Ben Mansfield, (10), then followed and struck a rare boundary before driving a catch to mid-off. Garrott and Yates steadied the innings, before Garrott, (29), fell trying to up the scoring rate. Bowman, (12), and Yates, (13), got into the teens, Yates occupying the crease for 16 overs. The tail had to see out the game, Hughes lasted only 3 balls but Emes (0) and Childs (16) saw out the innings both being undefeated.
Reed’s innings finished on 96 for 7 off 38 overs securing the draw but gaining only one league point.
Report submitted by Steve Hughes.
