George Garrott put in a crucial performance with the ball to get Reed back to winning ways. The victory released a measure of the tension that has been building with recent results not going in Reed’s favour.
The toss won, Marcus Martin elected to bat first and let hosts Hemel Hempstead suffer under the hot July sun. However, it was Reeds opening batsman who were feeling the heat as the opening salvos had them in trouble. The loss of a wicket brought Reed’s vice-captain Phil Frenay to the crease who stamped his authority on the match with an almighty biff down the ground first ball. There on, the partnership of Frenay and prolific batsman Richard Johnson added 66 attacking runs. Johnson’s loss for 29 brought Martin to the crease who wasted little time in scoring runs as he and his deputy added a further 44 to the cause.
The introduction of spin proved a crucial factor as Frenay was bowled for 49. For a time Martin had to be patient and wait for the bad ball. Things were turning in Reed’s favour when Martin’s captain’s knock ended, chopping on for 45.
Injecting some energy into Reed’s innings was the ever-enthusiastic Rhodri Hughes whose unique style proved perfect for the situation. He and the talented all-rounder Jack Caine ran rings around Hemel with quick and daring running and boundary hitting. It was an impressive display of youthful confidence and fitness. Caine (22) and Hughes (29) took Reed to a final score of 237 for 8.
An early wicket to Pete Tidey removed Hemel’s captain. Jack Caine opening from the other ended bowled perhaps his finest spell of the year and although wicketless it put huge pressure on the opposition batsman. Caine did however come away with a wicket by means of a run out which began Hemel’s collapse.
George Garrott had the ball moving by huge degrees as he went through the hosts middle order. Martin joined in the fun and finished with 3 for 36 whilst Garrott finished with fantastic figures of 14-2-49-5. Reed winners by 102 runs.
Report submitted by MJEB.
