Mayfield batted first in this friendly fixture, on what was to prove a very unpredictable early season green pitch. Mayfield struggled to score, being reduced to 88 for 5 after 24 overs. There was a very economic spell from Neil Haslam of 8-7-5-1. Matt Yates replaced Owen Hughes, but could only bowl 3 over due to a muscle strain. There was a notable 122 run sixth wicket stand (Starck finishing unbeaten on 58 and Goodchild falling one short of 50), with some of the Reed bowlers proving to be expensive (Emes: 7-0-46-1, S Hughes: 5-0-40-0, Childs 2-0-19-0) and the batmen’s negating the slow outfield by hitting a number of sixes. The youngsters; Harry Hawes and Kieran McKinna plugged away taking 3 wickets between them. Owen Hughes returned for 2 overs and took his second wicket (7-1-19-2) in the last over of innings. Mayfield finished on 211 for 7, with extras accounting for 35 runs, indicating all-round early season rustiness.
Reed started their innings cautiously, after the loss of Jack Childs in the second over. Kieran McKinna stuck around for 15 overs for 14 runs before being bowled. Reed were never in a position to challenge Mayfield’s score, with only Paul Garrett (10) and top scorer Owen Hughes (29) being the only other batsmen to reach double figures. Owen having to drop down the order after suffering blurred vision and vomiting due to a migraine. Toby Emes and S Hughes dropped anchor at the end of innings to bat out for a draw, as agreed that the side had to be bowled out to lose. Reed finished on a miserly 93 for 8 off their 40 overs, with extras accounting for 23 of the runs.
Man of match for Reed for his all-round performance was Owen Hughes. The moment of the match, was Steve Hoye showing us his unique juggling skills prior to taking a catch at first slip.
A worthwhile pre-season friendly match, against a stronger Mayfield side than encountered when this series of friendlies started around 3 seasons ago. Thanks to Jerry Yates for scoring.
Report submitted by Steve Hughes.
