Disappointing Defeat for the 3rd XI
With cloudy skies and a damp outfield, Reed Captain Maseeh Naeem succeeded in his plan to lose the toss, resulting in Reed being put in to bat first. Reed got off to a promising start, with openers Rob Willoughby and Rhodri Hughes putting on 38 for the first wicket. Hatch end opened with a pacey South African, Cunningham who bowled some mixed lines but picked up the wickets of both openers, bowling Willoughby for 14, followed by Hughes caught behind for 13. Reed continued to lose wickets despite promising innings from Stewart, Robertson and Bowles, but failed to fully capitalise after making solid starts. Captain Naeem top scored with a quick 33, but Reed were eventually bowled out for 149. Hatch Ends opening batsmen put on 100 for the first wicket, after Reed's pace men failed to take early wickets. Two difficult chances of catches fell, meaning both opening batsmen were able to post scores just shy of 50. Reed turned to the spin of Matt Bowles and Rob Willoguhby in the latter overs. Bowles picked up two wickets, that of Davies who edged to gulley, and Cunningham LBW. However, Hatch end were able to knock off the remainder of the runs, ending on 152-2 off 27.1 overs.