Runs came thick and fast as the final game of the season played out to an exciting conclusion. Inserting the visiting Waresley, M.J.E. Baker was pleased to see Jack Childs take an early wicket. Owen Hughes meanwhile applied pressure from the other end with his tight line. The rest of the first innings then ebbed and flowed back and forth between the hosts and the visitors. The only constant was Brawlie whose superb knock of 100 for the visitors proved the backbone of their final total of 231 for 4. Sam Rice bowled one of his best spells but somehow came away wicketless. Rob Lankester meanwhile proved luckier taking a wicket, a catch and run out to prove his all-round ability. Toby Emes was the other wicket taker from his seven overs.
After tea, Reed had a tense start with an early loss following after what would prove to be a costly drop. Michael Robertson tapped his first ball to mid-off only to see it go to ground. He never looked back. Given complete free license from his captain, Robertson unleashed hellfire in a complete blitz. He reached three figures in close to no time before retiring. Reed were now in a comfortable position with plenty of time left in the innings and a long batting order. Needing under a hundred seemed no problem. However, batsmen seemed to find ways of getting out. Jack Caine (33) and Baker (43) were the only other batsmen to make it into double figures. Baker had all but taken his side home before losing his wicket with just 9 required.
It went down to the final wicket. Sam Rice played a superb shot down the ground leaving Reed with just one to win. He then however was out caught in the slips next ball meaning the game was incredibly, after such a tussle, a tie!
Report submitted by MJEB.
