Reed III’s headed to the idyllic Roydon Cricket club to face Hoddesdon IV. On winning the toss, Reed opted to bowl, hoping to use the good weather to their advantage. Joe Graves (9-3-18-4) opened up down the hill, with Ian Roberts (3-1-11-0) starting off at the other end. The Hoddesdon openers Savanhu (13) and Brooks (17) began aggressively picking up some early runs. Having bowled just 3 overs, Roberts succumbed to a knee industry, with Neil Haslam (9-2-24-0) replacing him from the pavilion end. Graves became the first bowler to strike, cleaning up Savanhu. Graves continued his relentless attack, clean bowling Hunt (8), Brown (0) and Harrison (1). Hoddesdon lost another wicket when Brookes failed to make ground and was run out by Mike Robertson. Despite being 45-5, the home side refused to collapse, with Welsby (25) and Maughan (10) stabilising the innings. The introduction of Mike Juckes to the attack immediately reaped reward when Maughan was caught by Graves. The biggest stand of the innings then proceeded, as Welsby continued stoically, while Draisey (30) looked to further build the total. As the innings drew on Matt Yates (9-2-32-2) and Jukes began to pick up wickets, with Graves catching Welsby off the bowling of Yates, then Juckes picking up his second wicket with Draisey caught behind by Bill Mansfield. Yates snagged Cowner (16) with a caught and bowled, with Jukes taking the final wicket of Osbourne (1). Hoddesdon all out for 161, having made a sterling recovery.
Reed began their chase at a pedestrian pace, with the first wicket falling as Peter Baker (0) was bowled by Savanhu (6.3-2-6-3). Richard Johnson (24), looking comfortable, kept the scoreboard ticking over, supported by Gareth Thomas (4), until the latter was caught while looking to attack the bowling of Welsby (6-1-16-4). Johnson continued to play positively, until he was caught off the bowling of Osbourne (7-0-51-2). Following the loss of Johnson, Reed suffered a rapid collapse, losing Graves (4), Brad Jones (0) and Mansfield (8) to the bowling of Welsby, and Juckes to Osbourne. Yates (2) looked to hang around as Robertson (52*) progressed the score, however the return of Savanhu to the attack, broke the partnership, bowling Yates. Haslam (0) followed swiftly afterwards ending the Reed innings, the visitors having scored just 104.
Match Report submitted by MRR.
