Fielding a side weakened by absence, injury and isolation, Reed could muster just half a dozen regular first team players. Nevertheless, they battled hard in the heat to earn some bowling points. When skipper Tom Greaves lost the toss for the sixth time in a row, he must have been relieved to hear the home captain decide to bat for a change. This meant his attack could have a sustained period of bowling against a classy set of batsmen.
Former Northants batsman, Ben Howgego, (69) and captain Jed Miles (30) established an opening partnership of 80 with some cultured stroke play. Thus it fell to the spin duo of Greaves and Kapil Dave in a 40-over marathon stint to contain the top order to the tune of 134 for 4. However Eoin Morgan’s friend, Sean O’Brien (75) and youngster Charles Plummer (47) compiled a century stand, although they survived four sharp chances close to the bat. Dave finished with figures of 3 for 93 and Greaves took 1-74 from their 20 overs apiece. Matt Giblin (1-42) and Toby Fynn (2-25) plus a run-out picked up valuable bowling points at the end to leave Totteridge on 254 for 8.
Reed started their reply brightly with Rob Lankester (30) and Will Heslam (19, striking four boundaries), but the introduction of the deadly Iresh Saxena, who took 2 for 4 in his 10 overs earlier in the season spelt the beginning of a slide. His mesmeric spin accounted for three scalps this time and in tandem with Sean O’Brien the innings threatened to subside before reaching three figures once more. Some bold hitting by the tail took the score to 129 however, with Dave 15 not out and Giblin 8. O’Brien capped a fine all round performance taking 6 for 24.
Overall, Reed can take heart from some fine ground fielding on a tricky outfield and showing plenty of fight against a strong opposition.
Match report submitted by Peter Wholley.
