Reed Sunday XI versus Knebworth Blue / Preston Combined XI at Reed on Sunday 28th May 2017.
Feeling willow on leather was order of the day for Reed’s batsmen on Sunday. Benefitting the most were George Garrott, (83), and Rhodri Hughes, (78), who put-on 124 for the second wicket once skipper, Rob Lankester, had won the toss. Boundary scores were scarce but the fast-moving pair managed more than 5 runs per over before they were parted. Youngsters, Ben Mansfield, (16), and Kieran McKinna, (14 not out), had fun later in the innings whilst accompanying Toby Fynn who hit 33 not put including 2 fours and 2 sixes. After their 40 overs, Reed had reached 265 for 4.
The opposition comprising players from Knebworth Blue bolstered by some from Preston were immediately on the back foot after tea when William Heslam opened the bowling and hit the stumps in successive deliveries finishing with 2 for 8 from 5 overs. Neil Haslam was also economical be returning 1 for 15 from his allocation of 8 overs. Dave Saunders played a typical innings for the Combined XI from number 6 and progressed to a hard-hit 51 when he fell to a marvellously athletic one-handed catch at point by Lankester the very next delivery. Ben Mansfield held on to a couple of catches, one in the outfield at square leg and one as wicket-keeper after he had swapped with Ben Moody. Moody, in his bowling role, claimed a wicket as did Lankester, Hughes and McKinna who also judged a fine catch at extra cover. Garrott completed his day with a neat catch on the offside and Harry Hawes bowled tidily to record figures of 2 for 27. The visitors ended 9 wickets down but were a long way short of their target, closing on 116, Reed winning by 149 runs.
Report by PGB.
