Once again Reed 1st XI faced a team weakened by players away on a stag party and once again they cruised to victory as a result.
Having inserted Owens, Reed must have been worried when Jordan Carter took 3 boundaries from Jack Tidey’s second over, but Tidey had the last laugh bowling him for 18. This was sandwiched between Ed Wharton dispatching the dangerous Chris Whitworth and Rob Lane, leaving their opponents 31 for 3. This rapidly became 39 for 6 as Reed’s seam opening attack claimed all 6 wickets. Tidey was eventually withdrawn following a blow to the shoulder with figures of 10-3-32-3. In his place, skipper, Tom Greaves (2-17) tempted overseas star, Usama Mir, to go for broke, which he did to the tune of 28 at over a run a ball. However, when he went for one hit too many, Sean Tidey took a steepler on the boundary and Owens slipped to 89-9. Some lusty blows by Jack Bloxham (16 not out) took them into three figures, but Wharton returning 14-6-41-5 cleaned up the tail.
With just 106 needed, Reed looked like steaming to victory with Ed Wharton (27) and Zac McGuigan (40) hitting a dozen boundaries between them. However when the former was bowled and the latter run out, even Rob Lankester (11) could not kick on, despite one towering maximum, thanks to some wily spin bowling from Mir (11-6-16-1). Gradually though, James Heslam (12 not out) and the returning Mike Catt (14 not out) edged to a comfortable 7 wicket win, which moves Reed up to second in the league, overtaking Shenley Village.
Reed Firsts have now won 8 of their 10 league games this season – their best start ever in the Championship.
Match Report submitted by Peter Wholley.
