Incredible opening spells by Matt Yates (6-2-12-1) and Joe Graves (10-2-34-1) bowling in partnership put on early pressure to the visiting Mill Hill Village. Both were rewarded with a wicket apiece although they deserved more. A third wicket thanks to Martin Johnson had the opposition struggling at 38 for 3. However, the positive Kumar (39) led a fight back by pinching singles and hitting boundaries. His wicket fell eventually in comical circumstances as he and Jenkins (17) collided running two whilst Joe Graves threw the ball in from the deep to run him out.
This piece of luck proved the catalyst of a dramatic collapse as the visitors lost a further five wickets for just 28 runs. Steve Hughes (2-41) and Marcus J.E. Baker (3 for 24) benefitting from the great catching of Ben Moody, Peter Baker, Paul Garrott, Toby Emes, Jean-Marc Maujean and Zac Conley. A frustrating final partnership of 43 took the visitors to the none-the-less below par 170, the final wicket falling to the returning Johnson (2-36).
A steady reply was put under pressure when three wickets fell in close succession meaning Paul Garrott was in desperate need of a partner to stick with him. M.J.E. Baker stayed with the opener as they re-started the chase and eventually began putting away the boundaries showing why Freman is a 220 plus pitch. They had added 109 together for the fourth wicket when Garrott was bowled for a superb 80 with the score on 140. Baker stayed for a while longer but was also bowled for 60 just 13 runs shy of victory. The talented pair of Moody (8 not out) and Conley (9 not out) had no trouble in knocking off the final few runs to leave Reed 5 wicket winners. It was a true team victory.
Report submitted by MJEB.
