Having lost 3 recent close games from a winning position, the Firsts seemed destined to throw away another against Flitwick. Needing just 136, they collapsed to 114 for 7, but this time an unbroken eighth wicket stand saw them home.
The hosts at fist seemed on course for a big total when they cruised to 77 for 1, but for once it was the opposition who collapsed. Only two batters reached double figures as Zac McGuigan and Tom Greaves tore through their line up with the help of two terrible run outs. When both Thurstances were dismissed without scoring, the innings started to unwind, (McGuigan the instigator with an LBW and run out). Then Sri Lankan Wankhade holed out to Bertie Scott from Greaves’s bowling for 63. 123-6 at lunch soon became 135 all out as Greaves (4-24) and Scott with a wicket maiden polished off the tail. A special mention should be made of McGuigan who, in Toby Fynn’s absence, bowled unchanged throughout the innings, never dropping his express pace to record figures of 20-3-77-3, which made sure the Flitwick batters were unable to settle.
In a mirror image of their innings, Reed started well with Rob Lankester (38) and McGuigan (28) mastering Flitwick’s talented spin trio, taking the score to 75 for 2. However the inevitable collapse of the middle order happened with Lankester’s demise. Skipper George Thurstance then rolled the dice with the introduction of leggie, Lowe, who immediately bowled McGuigan with his first ball and Greaves with his fifth. 22 were needed by the last 3 wickets and as Reed lost the same number for no runs against Old Owens when only 6 were required, the writing was on the wall. Step up Sean Tidey with another composed innings of 21, accompanied by an assured knock from James Heslam, which steered Reed home amidst the tension from the home crowd. This time Tidey saw that 6 runs were needed and heaved the spellbinding Lowe over the ropes for a welcome victory.
Just four 50-over games now stand before Reed and safety and they have a 30 point cushion thanks to this nail biting success.
Match Report submitted by Peter Wholley.
