The First’s winning streak came to an end with another disappointing narrow defeat at the hands of Dunstable Town.
Chasing 205 to win, Reed slumped to 22 for 3, but hopes were raised by two half century partnerships between Zac McGuigan (45) firstly with Sam Osborne (20) then with Chris Chambers (36). The latter showed his class making his first big knock for the team, including 14 from an over by Dunstable’s most successful bowler this season, Jack Kilduff. Their spinners then dismissed the middle order, only for Sean Tidey (21) to raise the spirits of the home crowd partnering Mitchell Cooper (13) and Bertie Scott (16 not out). However the pace of Harry McBrearty accounted for the last two wickets bringing the total of his victims to 4 all clean bowled. Reed were all out in the last over for 196 to lose by the slender margin of 8 runs.
Earlier Toby Fynn(1-15) and McGuigan (1-26) left the visitors 57 for 2 at the halfway mark, but Kilduff (47) and James Bromhall (49) accelerated the scoring despite Scott and Tom Greaves taking two wickets apiece, 204 for 9 proving just beyond the hosts.
With two matches left this season Reed need one more win or one of their rivals to slip up in order to stay in the Championship.
Match Report submitted by Peter Wholley.
