Veteran opener Peter Baker rolled back the years to score a match winning century on a hot June day to reaffirm his title as Reed’s oldest centurion. Earlier in the piece Matt Giblin took wickets in the opening over to put early pressure on Harpenden Dolphins. Steve Hughes backed up this start with a wicket of his own. The visitors then made a gradual recovery working in singles. Marcus J.E. Baker then broke the deadlock thanks to catch from Rhodri Hughes. S.Hughes then claimed his second and the advantage was truly with Reed. Some big hitting towards the end frustrated Reed but could not stop what was a fantastic bowling performance by the home side. Giblin (3-22), Baker (3-35), Hughes (2-39) and Ed Kershaw (1-51) restricted Dolphins to 192.
In the second innings Peter Baker (103) and Paul Garrott (17) saw off the new ball and made a superb opening stand of 70. Bill Mansfield (12) and Rhodri Hughes (24) kept the scorer busy, whilst Baker approached three figures. His full day in the sun came to an end just short of victory leaving M.J.E. Baker (24 not out) and Maseeh Naeem (5 not out) to see Reed home to a 6 wicket win.
Report submitted by MJEB.
