The wind gusted around at 40 mph and thunder rumbled overhead at St Albans School, but Reed Firsts broke their losing streak by gaining a winning draw against Redbourn.
Kallum Ward and Jack Caine continued their scoring sprees with 30 apiece, but a responsive wicket and slow outfield meant runs had to be fought for, so when the heavens opened and the gazebo, sightscreens and scoreboard blew over Reed hadn’t made a hundred and were only allowed 44 overs to set a target. Max Sanderson with 17 not out and Jack Tidey (18) in their very different styles managed to boost the total to 131 in the 42nd over.
At 73 for 1 Redbourn seemed to be coasting to victory, but a 14-over spell from Jack Tidey (2-33) including the wicket of the dangerous William Hales pegged back the run rate. The fight back started when Julien Fynn took two wickets in his first over, both to diving slip catches and thenceforth the Fynn brothers started to work their way through the batting order. Toby finished with 12-0-44-3 and Julien a niggardly 10-2-18-3. When the last over began, all four results were possible, but neither side could wrest a clear advantage so Redbourn finished 3 runs short on 128 for 8 from their 42 overs.
Despite the difficult conditions, it became an exciting contest and ended with Reed claiming 12 points for their gutsy performance.
Match Report submitted by Peter Wholley.
