The First XI game was dominated by two batsmen who both narrowly missed out on scoring a century. For Hemel Hamish Llangaratne carried his bat for a classy 95, but sadly ran out of partners with two overs remaining. Reed’s Ed Wharton, in contrast, bludgeoned the visitors’ attack for a brutal 91 from 80 balls, including 8 fours and 5 sixes.
Hemel struggled against accurate home bowling with Jack Tidey (6-2-8-2) striking early and Toby Fynn (2-38) accounting for Australian Jack Bailey to break the crucial partnership. Once again, Reed’s spinners tied down the middle order taking 4-53 between them from 18 overs, ably aided by 3 catches calmly pouched in the deep by Zac McGuigan, who also added a run out and a wicket to his tally.
162 did not look a defensible total, especially when McGuigan and Ed Wharton plundered 70 from the power play. Although Mcguigan was unluckily run out for 24 for the second week running – the bowler deflecting a drive onto his wicket when he was backing up, Wharton continued his barrage. When he was finally bowled, only 17 were needed for victory and Reed romped home with 6 wickets and 20 overs to spare. A very convincing performance.
Match report submitted by Peter Wholley.
