Both sides scored 307 on the ‘road’ at Hoddesdon in a thrilling finish. With 7 required for a win in the final over, Tom Greaves left the home side needing a single off the final ball. A push to mid-wicket, a fast throw from Matt Sampson and Greaves whipped off the bails before Martin Brown on a rapid 35 just failed to make his ground.
When Reed was surprisingly inserted, Matt Sampson was again the main man with a chanceless 100. He was well supported by Rob Lankester with 12 boundaries for 57 and James Heslam, who once again provided the spine of the innings, only departing on the penultimate ball for 59. It was left to Sean Tidey though to blast 38 from 25 balls, including 3 maximums and an invaluable boundary from the last ball, which took Reed to maximum batting points.
Hoddesdon faltered at first as Ed Wharton and Toby Fynn removed the ‘big guns’, Rob Walters and Jadyn Broderick for ducks, but Sam Davis scored his second ‘daddy’ hundred this month and looked to be taking Hoddesdon home until Greaves eventually bowled him for a mammoth 140 at nearly a run a ball. Then came the dramatic finish on a pitch that did no favours to bowlers, although Greaves bravely soldiered on through the carnage taking 3-104 and Toby Fynn opened well with 9-2-31-2.
Match Report submitted by Peter Wholley.
