Having struggled throughout the majority of the season, Reed IIIs looked to pick some vital points in their fight for survival. Facing a strong opposition in St. Albans IIIs, Reed had their work cut out. With St. Albans winning the toss and electing to bat, Reed’s Joe Graves (10-1-26-0) and Owen Hughes (7-1-34-2) opened the bowling. Both bowled good lines with Hughes picking up the wickets of Melling (0) and Watkins (6) early on. Dean (31) and Shah (42) put together a solid partnership until the wiles of Ian Roberts (10-3-19-1) and a blinding catch from Rob Willoughby dismissed Dean. Shah and Khan (0) soon fell, in quick succession, to catches by Mas Naeem and Ben Moody off the bowling of James Crouchman (5-0-35-2). Once again St. Albans stabilised as M. Telkman (31) and Parkinson (13) steadied the ship, until both were caught by Marcus Baker off the bowling of Willoughby (3.2-0-18-2). Josh Conley (6-0-14-2) also joined the attack, picking up the wickets of J. Button (9) and A. Button (5). The final St. Albans wicket came after confusion at the wicket and a rocket like throw from Zac Conley saw N. Button (2) run out. St. Albans all out for 154, leaving Reed a lot of work to do.
Reed started poorly, with Willoughby (0) falling victim to A. Button (5-1-27-1), Marcus Baker (1) also failed to shine being trapped LBW by Dean (8.4-1-25-1). Reed looked in trouble at 17 for 2 from 7 overs, however opener Ben Moody (21) and skipper Mike Robertson (29) stabilised the innings. After a short partnership, Moody was bowled by Watkins (6-0-28-1), bringing the youngster Zac Conley to the crease. Robertson was also lost after failing to be quick enough between the wickets, leaving Reed looking rather shaky at 58-4. Maseeh Naeem (13) and James Crouchman (11) were both dismissed by M. Telkman (6-0-39-2), having supported Conley in the chase. With Owen Hughes (3) being bowled by J. Button (3-1-11-1), the game hung on a knife edge. It was left to the cool head of Joe Graves (7*) and the hard-hitting Zak Conley (35 not out) to complete the victory, by 3 wickets, for Reed.
Report submitted by Mike Robertson.
