Reed continued their league form with a comfortable 7 wicket win, albeit against a Dunstable side severely weakened by a stag party.
Having inserted their hosts, the Reed bowlers kept a tight hold on their top order, restricting them to 119-5 from 50 overs. This was especially due to the remarkable 20 over spell by Jack Tidey, who bowled unchanged and finished with six maidens after lunch. His final figures read 20-10-32-2. However they could not dismiss Brad Matthews, twice putting him down, and they were made to rue those misses as he opened his shoulders in the last 10 overs, scoring an undefeated 91 in Dunstable’s 198 for 6, Ed Wharton and Zac McGuigan were the other wicket takers with run-outs from the latter and Jack Caine.
Fearing another destructive spell from Luke Cherry, Reed’s habitual nemesis, Ed Wharton decided attack was the order of the day and promptly smashed him out of the attack. Indeed he conceded an unprecedented 46 from his first 7 overs. With his brother, Richard (31) at the other end, the Whartons added 116 runs in 18 overs until both were bowled in successive overs, Ed frustratingly dismissed for 94 – the second time he had just missed a century this season. A more measured partnership of 71 between Jack Caine (38 not out) and James Heslam (19 not out) ensued, safely steering Reed to 200 for 3.
Reed are still third, but just 10 points behind the leaders, their conquerors last week, Shenley Village.
Match Report submitted by Peter Wholley.
