After last week’s collapse against a spin attack, Reed must have been concerned about facing Luton on their notorious turner. However James Heslam (59) anchored the innings, partnered at first by free scoring Ed Wharton (54) and then by Matt Sampson, who overhauled him with some big maximums. Together they gradually tamed Luton’s talented bowlers. When Heslam was dismissed at 194-3 it was left to Sampson to steer the total to 244-7, finally stumped for 92. A good total given their opponent’s renowned attack.
In reply, Luton set off in a hurry, scoring freely against pace. Opener, Homyoon (93) and overseas star, Trunkwalla (39), looked to have set up a comfortable chase at 172-2 with overs to spare, but when Matt Sampson ran out the former and Jack Tidey caught the latter it became a very different game. Tom Greaves with a miserly 1-58 from his full allocation of 20 overs and Karl Ward, benefiting from Greaves’s containment at the other end, bowled unchanged in tandem for much of the innings and were the architects of Luton’s demise. Ward finished with a remarkable 15-3-47-5. Sadly though there was not enough time to winkle out the last wicket when the host’s collapsed to 205-9 as drizzle and the darkness descended.
A very entertaining game ended with Reed gaining a ‘winning draw’.
Match Report submitted by Peter Wholley.
