After two tough league games, Reed’s U15 team visited Welwyn and into the unknown. Reed won the toss and elected to bat.
The opening pairing of Jacob Vincent and Ollie Cambridge started steadily and then rapidly accelerated the run-rate after 4 tight overs. Good communication and quick singles were interspersed with plenty of boundaries. Jacob retired with a boundary bringing up 42 off 29 balls; the opening partnership having reached 79. Ollie C fell in the next over on 18.
With George Wood and Ollie Tapsell new to the crease the expectation was for the run rate to stall, but it didn’t. Ollie T and Wood took the initiative and peppered the boundary. Wood finished on 21 from 16, Ollie T on 16 from 15 balls.
With the innings reaching the final stages, Eddie Cook blasted 2 quick boundaries before being bowled. Daniel Vincent (1) and Jake Garner (2) seeing out the final few balls.
Reed had set a defendable score of 146 for 4.
In a shake-up, the ex-U13 dream team of Callum Ricketts and Daniel Vincent opened the bowling with a view to keeping the openers quiet. With Daniel’s pace variation, and Callum’s spin bamboozling the openers, the first 5 overs went for just 18 runs. Callum Ricketts struck in the 6th after Welwyn attempted to accelerate. Holding his nerve after two boundaries, Callum clean-bowled the opening batter.
With Welwyn playing expansive cricket, Reed continued the seam / spin combination with Ollie Tapsell and Ollie Cambridge. Welwyn started to score quickly, but Ollie T forced an error and Eddie Cook took a clean catch to despatch Welwyn’s other opener, swiftly followed by a run-out by Jacob Vincent, with a bullet-like direct hit from the boundary.
Ollie C joined the party; Callum Ricketts taking a fine catch. Welwyn had stalled and Reed were well on top.
After 12 overs Welwyn were on 51 for 4.
Unknown to Reed, the Welwyn powerhouses were at the crease. Having seen off the bowling of Cambridge and Tapsell, George Wood and Gethin Hill were the unlucky recipients of the backlash.
Nerves started to show. .. There was little wrong with the bowling, but Welwyn piled on 54 runs in just 4 overs. Gethin bearing the brunt of some masterful stroke-play from Gaddi (who unbeknownst to Reed, plays for Middlesex U15s). George finally got his revenge in the 16th over, taking 2 wickets (a catch by Jacob Vincent and a direct hit run-out by Daniel Vincent).
With Welwyn needing 26 from the last 3 overs, it was up to Jacob Vincent and Jake Garner to see Reed home. Welwyn’s Gaddi was on 30 and with retirement enforced at 40 it was going to be close…
18th over (Vincent) – 9 runs (8 to Gaddi).
Welwyn need 26 19th over (Garner) – 13 runs. Gaddi retires on 44 after a crashing 6. Welwyn need 13.
20th over (Vincent) – 6 straight balls. No boundaries. Run-out Last ball.
Welwyn finish on 139 for 7 and Reed secure a nervy win.
Match report submitted by Lee Vincent.
