In the absence of usual skipper, Ed Garrott, the Second team vice-captain Karl Ward won the toss and elected to bat first. Opening up for Reed were Richard Barlow and Richard Johnson, the latter falling early without troubling the scorers. Stuart Smith joined Barlow at the crease, and both looked in good touch, putting on 52 runs for the second wicket, before Barlow fell for 24. The in-form James Sandford joined Smith, who continued to build the innings. Both Smith and Sandford played some great shots, but unfortunately fell just short of their fifties. After a few more quick wickets including two run outs, Reed looked like they might fall short of a strong total, when they were reduced to 164 for 7.
Luckily some late order hitting from Ward and Matthew Bowles, who added 47 together for the 8th wicket, took Reed up to a more than respectable total of 213 for 9, Ward finishing the innings on 40 not out.
With the pressure of runs on the board, the Watford Town openers took the attack to the Reed openers, from the start of the innings. Openers Ward and Matt Giblin plugged away, with no prevail, until with the score at 41, Giblin found the outside edge of opener Nasar, and ‘One of the best catches ever seen at Reed’ was pouched by Mitchell Cooper at first slip.
Rupert Martin replaced Ward bowling down the hill, and claimed the next two wickets, firstly Watford’s no. 3, LBW, and then grabbing a well-reacted caught and bowled to dismiss the other opening batsman. The game continued in the balance throughout the innings, with Watford remaining close to the run rate with wickets in hand.
Excellent bowling in partnership by ‘spin twins’, Bowles and Marcus Martin, helped Reed to quickly push through the overs, and stem the Watford run rate to a manageable level. The elder Martin was rewarded with two wickets, which alongside two excellent run outs, meant Reed were into the tail. Despite some resilient lower order batting, Cooper returned to bowl up the hill, and was able to claim the final two wickets. Watford fell 23 runs short, all out for 190.
3 consecutive wins for the Second team!
Match Report submitted by Matt Giblin.
