In the first of the Summer League matches, Reed hosted Bishops Stortford 2 in the blazing summer sun. A world apart from the start of the season, where rain threatened every match… however, the BS2 team proved as strong as ever.
Reed won the toss and elected to bat, a decision largely based on the soaring temperatures.
BS bowled with their usual accuracy, with opener Daniel Vincent unable to get the ball away, taking an unprecedented 11 balls to score his first run.
With Lewis Abdul-Karim supporting at the other end, Reed eventually developed a partnership, with 20 runs off the first 4 overs until Lewis fell in the 6th. Tom Green joined Daniel…. but not for long, scoring a quick-fire 8 before falling in the 7th over.
The match had developed into one of attrition. With runs hard to score off the bat, extras were becoming the leading scorer. Reed had (at last) learned to run byes at every opportunity.
Charlie Cannon joined Daniel but retired hurt (temporarily) after being struck by a fierce delivery. Eventually returning later in the match to amass 7 runs.
With the most experienced pairing of Callum Ricketts and Daniel Vincent at the crease, there was hope that the run rate would accelerate, but the BS bowling was relentless and runs were at a premium.
When the opening bowlers returned, Reed had scored 36 for 2 off the first 9 overs. Callum fell on 2, quickly followed by Daniel for 7. Reed were 42-4.
Youngsters Aaron Nash and Josh Heslam managed to inject some urgency into the innings, but the wickets kept falling. Aaron Nash (5), Charlie Cannon (7). When Josh fell for 11 runs in the 16th over Reed were 72 for 7.
Reed were eventually All Out for 76 after 18.1 overs.
Their time in the heat seemed to have sapped Reed’s spirit…. and emboldened Bishop’s Stortford’s.
The Reed bowling was as disciplined as ever, conceding only 3 wides and, unusually, 2 no-balls. However, the BS batting line up proved too strong.
In no mood to hang around, BS knocked off the runs in 12.4 overs for the loss of just 2 wickets.
After a rapid opening over from Daniel Vincent going for just 3 runs, the medium pace of the remaining bowlers proved too enticing. Runs were accumulated in quick order, with boundaries conceded at regular intervals. By the 11th over, BS were on 72 for no wicket.
Aaron Nash delivered an exquisite maiden over in the 12th to deliver the 1st wicket (Stumped – Daniel Vincent), but it was too little too late. Callum Ricketts took the 2nd wicket with the 1st ball of the 12th over (a superb catch by Lewis) , but by then it was all but over as a competition.
Two consecutive 4s in the 12th over brought the contest to a close.
The remaining overs were bowled out, with BS eventually finishing on 139.
Next up St. Margaretsbury away.
Match report submitted by Lee Vincent.
