Pace man Ryan Cooper held an impressive line and length and when finding Richard Falder’s edge, caught by keeper, Rhodri Hughes, for 15, he had taken his first wicket for Reed on debut. He was spelled after 5 overs with figures of 1 for 12 and replaced by P.G. Baker who was also rewarded with a rare wicket when ex-Reed Colt, Michael Fox, missed a ball than spun both ways to be stumped by Hughes for 33. Liam O’Hanlon made 13 but it was left-handed opener Godfrey who governed the innings with a well-played 62 not out. Aston were 5 down for 155 at the tea interval after long absent Vice-President, Andy Young, got some zip from the pitch bowling up the hill and took the other 3 wickets to fall at a personal cost of 29.
Reed skipper, Matt Giblin engineered the way the game was played by sticking to the creed of “those that bowl, bowl, and those that bat, bat.” This worked out well as Owen Hughes and MJE Baker made their first significant contributions to the match by running-up 69 for the first wicket before Baker was bowled for 31. Rhodri Hughes hadn’t bowled either, but he struck 27 alongside his brother then once caught off Benigala, Paul Garrott came to the crease to score 18 not out. Meanwhile, Owen Hughes went to his career highest score to date and was not out with a well-judged 69 as Reed won comfortably by 8 wickets and with more than 5 overs to spare.
Match Report submitted by PGB.
