Ed Wharton reminded Reed how much they miss him with an imperious ton, but even he could not stop the Firsts from registering victory, albeit with just over two overs to go.
Reed dominated from the start with an opening partnership of 77 at nearly a run a ball by Will Heslam (40) and Kallum Ward (43). The latter scored all but a single run in boundaries. The momentum was maintained by Tom Greaves (28) and Zac McGuigan (34), but it was Matt Sampson who took the game away from Preston racing to 82 from 85 balls, including 7 boundaries and 6 maximums. It was a breathtaking innings, seeing off the leg spinner with 26 in one over. Even when he was caught on the boundary, Sean Tidey (19) and Bertie Scott (24) took the score to 296, frustratingly just short of the 300 mark with two overs left of the 60 allocated.
When Toby Fynn, McGuigan and Greaves bagged 2 wickets apiece the game seemed done and dusted, but from 92 for 6 Ed Wharton, accompanied by keeper, Will Gillimore (36), doubled the score and Peter Murrell (32) helped Preston on to 223 for 7. With a minimum of a dozen overs left all three results were possible, but at last Wharton snicked McGuigan behind to Tidey for a scintillating 114 with 14 boundaries and 4 sixes at a rate of 121. Reed have struggled to close down matches this season, but Greaves juggled his bowlers astutely so that McGuigan (4-73) and Fynn (3-84) did the job with a little more than 2 overs to go. The skipper, himself, finished with 3-65 as Preston were bowled out for 262.
The first timed-match win of the season lifted Reed up the table, but they face a difficult game next week against the leaders, Old Owens.
Match Report submitted by Peter Wholley.
