Reed travelled to Hemel Hempstead and bowled first having lost the toss. Rupert Martin got things started for Reed bowling down the hill, whilst Owen Hughes came up. Martin was settling into a superb spell. However, despite good bowling, wickets could not be found as the openers made 89. Eventually Martin had Stokes (44) playing on and Samuels (36) caught to remove both openers. Sam Rice, now coming up the hill, then got stuck in as he quickly accounted for a further three wickets.
Martin (15-2-29-2) was replaced by Owen Hughes, who found greater success coming down the hill. However, Hemel’s late middle order showed resistance with a partnership of 97. But in the dying overs the deadly Steve Hughes tucked into the tail taking 4 for 13 including two stumpings from the dependable Ben Moody. A run out from Owen Hughes added to the chaos as the hosts lost five wickets for 4 runs ending on 222 all out.
Reed’s response did not start well with two early wickets. But a superb recovery from Jean-Marc Maujean and Rhodri Hughes ended any panic and took back the initiative as they added 75 together. Both batsmen looked to play genuine, positive shots until Maujean was caught for a well-constructed 37. Hughes continued undeterred and combined strike rotation and placement to upset the hosts. M.J.E. Baker worked with Hughes to make a 99 run partnership whilst Hughes went past 50. The game was setting up for close finish because despite closing in on their target, overs were running out. Hughes fell for a brilliant 66, which put pressure on the incoming Ben Moody (19 not out) to score quickly, which he accomplished by smashing 16 in an over, leaving Baker (68 not out) to score the winning runs giving Reed a very satisfying 6 wicket win.
Report submitted by MJEB.
