Reed Seconds produced another scintillating performance on Saturday against Harpenden Thirds at The Green. Winning the toss, they asked the visitors to bat, both opening spells by Julien Fynn (10-1-30-2) and Charlie Walters (10-0-46-0) were tight. The first wicket fell on 42 when a superb piece of fielding from Fynn ran-out Williams for just 8 off of Walters’ bowling. This brought the skipper Newton to the crease and he and opener Gilson built a solid partnership and the run rate began to increase. A short delay led to the match being reduced to 48 overs each, however the Harpenden batsmen continued on. Fynn returned and bowled Gilson for 88 and picked up the wicket of Frost for just 3 in the next over. Newton wasn’t to be denied his century and he ended 110 not out and a quickfire 16 not out from Gosling took the visitors to a challenging 264 for 3 in their 48 overs.

Reed started like an express train, with 19 off of the first over although Frenay fell LBW for just a single. Jack Caine and Mike Catt took the score to 47 before Caine edged the ball behind, having scored 17, a second wicket for J. Card. Kallum Ward joined Mike Catt and they continued with a run rate in excess of seven an over. Ward assumed the lead role in the partnership and he brought up his 50 off 45 balls before he became J. Card’s third wicket with a 53-ball 61. 14-year-old Charlie Walters played a mature knock of 18, playing the short balls extremely well until he fell with the score on 190 in the 30th over. Mike Catt in the meanwhile had reached his fifty and was now looking to take Reed home. Paul Garrott was also LBW for 6 and this brought Michael Robertson to the wicket. At this stage Reed needed 46 with just under 12 overs to go, but Robertson was clearly in a hurry and he was helped by the Harpenden bowlers. The 38th over went for 20 and Robertson hit three fours and a six off the next four balls to the take the hosts over the line in an unbroken fifty partnership in just 20 balls; Robertson’s unbeaten 28 came off a mere 15 deliveries. Batting hero Mike Catt finished 94 not out from 112 balls with Reed winning by five wickets and 8.2 overs to spare.

RESULT:
Reed 270 for 5 off 39.4 overs,(30 Points) beat Harpenden 264 for 3 off 48 overs, (14 Points) by 5 wickets.

Match report submitted by Neil Haslam.