Reed 3rds picked up another valuable 30 points following their away game against Ickleford 3rd XI. Winning the toss, Reed elected to bowl, opening up with Prash Ramaraj (9-0-48-1) and Steve Hughes (9-1-42-0). Ickleford openers Howard (13) and Dermont (103) created a good platform for the innings, however Ramaraj struck, bowling Howard. Following the loss of a wicket, Ickleford upped their run rate, with Whelan (56) repeatedly finding the boundary, despite a very tidy spell from Matt Naeem (9-1-51-0). Whelan finally fell to Mike Robertson (7-1-43-1) when the pitch made a shorter ball rather unplayable. Cheeseman (49 not out) continued to build the total as Dermont opened up, hitting runs with aplomb. Oli Sayers (5-0-33-0) was unfortunate not to pick up a wicket with balls dropping short of fielders, however it was Rob Willoughby (4-0-28-1) finally had Dermont caught by keeper Bill Mansfield. Jupp (10 not out) joined Cheeseman see out the rest of the innings with Ickleford finishing their 45 overs on 278 runs for the loss of 3 wickets.
Reed’s openers Willoughby (34) and Richard Johnson started steadily, putting together a partnership of 76 before youngster Ollie Ellis-Holmes (6-0-47-1) caught Willoughby off his own bowling. The Reed batsmen continued to plug away, with Peter Baker (44) settling in at the crease and Johnson showing great temperament and skill. Another solid partnership of 124 was built, before Baker was trapped LBW by Ickleford skipper Howard (7-0-70-1). With 79 needed from 9 overs, the Reed batsmen still had a great deal of work to do. With Johnson still at the crease and Mike Robertson playing shots from the word go, Reed won the game in the 43rd over as Robertson reached 51 not out and Johnson having scored a match-winning unbeaten 124, his first ever league hundred.
Match Report submitted by Michael Robertson.
