On a warm and sunny afternoon at the Freman Oval, Reed 3s won the toss and skipper Paul Garrott decided to have first use of the pitch, a decision he was left to rue.
Garrott and P. Baker opened the innings and both found runs hard to come by, with the ball not really coming onto the bat. Baker went cheaply, Mike Robertson (20) started in aggressive fashion but fell in similar vain. Rhodri Hughes (18) was playing nicely too, but wickets were falling steadily. When Garrott (28) went with the score on 92, Reed were in a spot of bother!
Owen Hughes batted really nicely, and with maturity for his (30 not out) but nobody else could stay with him and he was left stranded at the end. Reed had been bowled out for 139 in 42.4 overs.
Hitchin 3s reply started in ominous fashion! Owen Hughes and Matt Giblin opening the attack for Reed, produced the odd good delivery, but with pace on the ball, and the wicket now completely dry, the ball was starting to find the boundary oh too often, although Hughes did nip one back, to remove the impressive C. Dudley for 35.
Zac Conley then replaced Giblin, and soon after took a brilliant return catch. He followed that up by having Muscat caught by Kieran McKinna around the corner for 32. Hitchin never lost another wicket and reached their target of 140 for the loss of 3 wickets in just 19.4 overs.
Report submitted by Paul Garrott.
