Reed hosted Bishop’s Stortford in the last match of the Herts Junior League season knowing that only victory would secure 3rd spot in the Division.
BS won the toss, put Reed into bat and were immediately rewarded when Charlie Cannon lofted the first ball to the fielder at mid-off.
BS rotated the bowling among all their players, and some impressive seam bowling kept Reed struggling for runs. Having learned lessons from early in the season Reed stole singles from every opportunity. Eddie Cook was given LBW in the 5th over (3). Tom Green joined Daniel Vincent at the crease, immediately upping the urgency. Tom and Daniel put on 28 runs before Daniel fell on 20, attempting his 4th successive slog into cow corner – finding the fielder instead of the boundary. Tom was caught behind in the next over for 7.
With two new batsmen at the crease (Callum Ricketts and Aaron Nash) the bowling rotation returned to the openers and a quick ball took Callum’s middle stump. Callum departed on 1 and Aaron was left to hold the fort with several inexperienced players left in the pavilion.
Aaron found form at just the right time; batting sensibly and seeing off the seamers, before attacking… sending two loose deliveries to the boundary. One attacking shot too many saw his middle stump dislodged. A visibly nervous Tash McNamara performed admirably, scoring 4. Oliver Tallis rejoiced avoiding a golden duck, and celebrated every one of his 5 balls – Especially the quick-run 2, and even his slog to the fielder… The right shot choice, just not the execution it required. Stanley Johnson scored a stoic 1 Not Out.
Charlie Ward the last man out without troubling the scorer. Reed finished on 79.
With the storm clouds looming, Reed knew they needed to bowl BS out to win.
The opening bowling pairing of Daniel Vincent and Callum Ricketts were steely and determined; with Daniel adding some extra zip to his seam bowling. Daniel made an early breakthrough in his second over – sending the middle stump cartwheeling, swiftly followed by Callum who bowled out the incoming batsman. Reed’s fielding – recently very much improved – was letting them down tonight, and BS found the boundary on several occasions.
BS were 55 for 2 in the 7th over when the rain arrived. Although only a drizzle at the time, our early-warning system (Charlie Cannon’s mum in Sandon) warned of an imminent downpour. With strict instructions to protect the 1st team wicket, the covers came on just in time. The downpour arrived moments later.
A frustrating situation all round. BS take the victory, and 3rd spot.
The Summer League starts in 2 weeks…
Match report submitted by Lee Vincent.
