Reed IIIs hosted top of the table Bushey III’s at Freman College. Despite a week of wet weather, the pitch was in reasonable condition and Bushey, winning the toss, elected to bat. Openers Ganesh (46) and Akbar (18 ) started well seeing off opening bowlers Owen Hughes (9-1-45-0) and Keiran McKinna (6-0-16-0) while building a solid foundation for the innings. The introduction of Ian Roberts to the attack brought Reed some relief when Akbar was bowled for 18. Toby Emes (9-0-50-3) also began to build pressure, getting good seam movement and picking up the wicket of Feasel (7). Roberts then ended the well measured innings of Ganesh, trapping him LBW. The wickets continued as Emes once again struck, bowling Vidal (5) and Adam (0). Bushey looked in trouble, however Aanir Hussain (38) showed patience while Amir (53) repeatedly thrashed the ball to all parts of the ground. With the total rising quickly, Reed’s captain Rhodri Hughes turned to Rob Willoughby (7-0-40-1) whose flighty bowling drew Amir down the wicket, giving Lloyd Bowman and easy stumping. In the final overs of the innings, Mike Robertson (5-1-26-1) bowled Hussain, leaving Biplab (13 not out) and Hassan (2 not out) to finish the innings for the visitors. The respectable score of 207-7 from 45 overs looked to be a challenge for Reed.
Paul Garrott (24) and Richard Johnson (4) started the innings for Reed, facing some hostile bowling from Hussain (9-0-39-3) and tight lines from Sohail (9-0-35-1). Hussain struck first, getting Johnson LBW with the score on only 19. Willoughby (31) and Garrott proceeded to stabilise the innings until Garrott was caught off the bowling of Feasel (9-0-42-2). Peter Baker (8), despite looking comfortable, became Feasel’s second victim when he was caught trying to build some momentum. With the score at 82-3 from 22 overs, Reed had a great deal of work to do. Robertson (58) began to add to the total however Willoughby, picking up a groin injury was caught trying to guide away the pinpoint accurate bowling of Biplab (9-3-18-1). Rhodri Hughes (4) was clean bowled soon after as Hussain was brought back into the attack and following a few well-placed boundaries, Owen Hughes (13) succumbed to the pace of Hussain. With the total on 175, Robertson threw his wicket away in the 37th over, being bowled by Sohail. Bowman (15 not out) and McKinna (13 not out), both at the crease had a big task ahead of them as Ankesh (4.3-0-22-0) and Akbar (2-0-25-0) and Hassan (1-0-5-0) looked to stem the runs. Level-headed play and aggression against the bad ball saw Reed close on the total with the winning run being hit on the third ball of the final over.
Match Report submitted by Michael Robertson.
