Reed’s First Eleven played their first game of a shortened season against Totteridge Millhillians First Eleven at The Green on Saturday.
Winning the toss on a bright and humid day at The Green, skipper Rob Lankester opted to bat. Ed Wharton cracked three boundaries for Reed in the first over before edging a catch behind. Will Heslam and Rob Lankester took the score beyond fifty before a flurry of wickets left the home side wobbling at 78 for 6. A gusty 38 from Mitchell Cooper (3 fours and two sixes) and 20 from Sean Tidey began a recovery. The lower order added some vital runs, especially Jack Tidey 27 not out as Reed posted 182 off of 44.4 overs. O’Brien and Lederman the pick of the opposition bowlers with three wickets apiece.
Totteridge’s reply began quickly with the openers taking the score to 37 inside 4 overs before Jack Tidey (9-0-36-1) bowled the skipper Miles and Ed Wharton (5.5-0-50-2) added Sellwood’s wicket four runs later (41-2). However a 94 partnership between former Northants batsman Ben Howgego and all rounder O’Brien began to take the match away from Reed. Three quick wickets; two from Toby Fynn (5-0-25-2) and one from Mitchell Cooper (5-0-25-1) gave Reed a slight glimmer of hope. Smith and Lederman eventually taking the visitors home by four wickets.
RESULT: REED 182 ALL OUT 44.4 OVERS. (6 points) lost to TOTTERIDGE MILLHILLIANS 183 FOR 6 29.5 OVERS. (25 points) by 4 WICKETS.
Match Report submitted by Neil Haslam.
