Reed 3rds travelled to Bushey 3rds with both teams in the promotion hunt. Reed skipper Rhodri Hughes won the toss and elected to bowl with the wicket looking difficult to bat on.
Reed’s bowling started well with Joe Graves (9-0-31-2) and Owen Hughes (9-3-34-1) bowling tightly and taking early wickets that they deserved. The change bowlers of Kieran McKinna (7.1-2-17-1) and Ollie Sayers (6-1-31-2) kept up the good work from the opening pair and took wickets at vital times. Reed kept the pressure on with Rob Willoughby (9-0-33-2) and Matt Yates (4-1-25-2) who took two wickets in two balls leaving the hosts in trouble at 123 for 8. However, some resistance from Ali (57 not out) batting nicely with the tail took Bushey to 186 all out in the last over.
Reed’s reply didn’t start well, losing Peter Baker and Rob Willoughby in consecutive balls leaving Reed 9 for 2. Paul Garrott soon followed leaving Reed 18 for 3 from 10 overs with Sohail taking all 3 wickets. Rhodri Hughes and Scott Nash started to rebuild the innings putting the bad balls away and running well between the wickets. As soon as they brought up the 50 partnership, Rhodri was bowled for 25 from a poor shot leaving Reed 68 for 4 with plenty of work to do. Bringing younger brother Owen Hughes to the crease, he and Nash continued to put the bad balls away and rotate the strike well. These two built a match winning partnership of 103 for the 5th wicket with Scott Nash falling for a brilliant 84. Reed only needed 16 to win but they lost Kieran McKinna cheaply putting a bit of pressure on. But Matt Yates (7 not out) and Owen Hughes took Reed home with the latter finishing 36 not out continuing his good batting form.
This victory takes Reed to fourth and closing in on Bushey in third, knowing that finishing third will gain promotion as Southgate Compton who are top of the table are ineligible for promotion this season.
Match Report submitted by Rhodri Hughes.
