Reed were left with questions to ask following a thorough thrashing from visiting Bayford and Hertford. With the threat of rain later in the day Bayford had taken the gamble and inserted Reed. It proved a good call as Reed’s batsmen came and went with regularity. The divisions last placed team were able to reduce the hosts to 15 for 5. Ben Moody and Matt Yates were then able to produce some resistance batting sensibly. However, the luck was clearly not with Reed as both fell with the score on 41, Yates to an exceptional catch and Moody unfortunately playing on.
Reed’s top score actually came from number 9 Toby Emes who batted very well to make his 14. But despite his efforts Reed succumbed to the well below par score of 62.
If one side could collapse then why not two? Reeds only hope was to get into the opposition with some good bowling to put pressure onto the batsmen and see if some early wickets could open the possibility of an upset. The hope was quickly extinguished as poor bowling allowed the visiting batsmen to rush to victory in just 7 overs. All in all it was a disastrous performance suggesting a lack of preparation before the game has led to Reed throwing away a game. So where from now? Hopefully this is a watershed moment and from now the players will show a bit more personal responsibility in being ready for the contest.
Report submitted by MJEB.
