In an exciting climax to the First XI fixture, Jack Tidey hit his first ball for 6 to win the match with two balls to spare. However, Old Owens conceded 5 penalty runs when Whitworth feigned to throw a non-existent ball to put off the runners in a tight call. Was that the difference between the sides at the end?
The home side set off like a train taking 65 without loss from the power play. It was the introduction of Zac McGuigan which started the fight back as he took the first 3 wickets, including the dangerous Whitworth for 69. At 142-3 with 20 overs remaining a big total looked likely until an inspired spell of 10 overs by Toby Fynn (5-26) including 3 catches by keeper Richard Wharton, turned the course of the innings. McGuigan returned to bowl the last two batsmen, helping himself to a ‘five-fer’ (9.3-2-30-5) as well. Old Owens made 189 all out from 46 overs.
Old Owens won Division 1 last year on the back of an excellent bowling attack and they proved very difficult to score against. As a result Reed found themselves 77-5 from 25 overs with only Rob Lankester playing fluently until the reverse sweep was his downfall yet again for 28. James Heslam and Richard Wharton then dug in for a gritty partnership of 47 until Heslam was caught for a patient 42. Wharton continued as anchor while Sean Tidey hit a belligerent run a ball 28 in an invaluable stand of 50. With 16 still required from two overs it was left to Wharton (34 not out) and Jack Tidey to squeeze home (190-8) in an exciting finish, leaving Owens ruing those unnecessary penalty runs.
Match Report submitted by Peter Wholley.
