Captain Bowman won the toss and invited Old Owens to bat. It was a toil in the field, with the opening batsmen making slow but steady progress, with their top 4 all getting starts of 17, 35, 36 and 58 (not out). Only 4 wickets fell in the innings, as Old Owens reached 178 in 42 overs. This was helped by some dropped catches in the field, and a few decisions being given in favour of the batsmen. The bowling was shared around 7 players, with Martin Johnson returning the best figures (8-1-29-2). Reed changed wicketkeepers at the drinks interval with Ward taking over from Bowman behind the stumps. After tea, supplied by the Bowman family and taken in the fresh air under the Freman gazebo, Reed started slowly but steadily just like Old Owens. Peter Baker preferring to score in singles and Johnson preferring to hit the odd boundary. Many times were the Baker call of “one run” heard this afternoon. The first wicket fell at 129 in the 23rd over, with Baker (43) being caught off the bowling of Tyler, having found the boundary 4 times but playing a good support role to Johnson. Johnson meantime had reached his 50 and batted on to finish 101 not out. His innings included thirteen 4s and three 6s, although he was given a few chances being dropped 3 times during his innings. Ward (one ear listening for that phone call) ensuring Johnson reached his hundred after hitting 10 in two boundary shots. Johnson having just returned from 2 weeks’ holiday. Reed won the game in the 32nd over, reaching 179 for the loss of only two wickets at the “Freman Oval”. Report submitted by Steve [...]

Reed IV versus Old Owens III at Coopers Lane, Potters Bar, on Saturday 4th June 2016. “Tails never fails” for Reed skipper Lloyd Bowman when he once more called correctly at the toss then inserted the hosts at Old Owens’ second pitch. With a touch of moisture in the surface, Jake Gifford extracted some lively bounce as Old O’s progressed quietly to 27 when he had Patel edging behind to Bowman at the end of the ninth over. Fellow opening bowler, Steve Hughes, was almost unplayable as the cautious batsmen were keen to preserve their wickets. However, Martin Johnson struck with his first delivery when Peter Baker snaffled one in the slips and Jack Wilkerson bowled Tyler for 23. Soon after, Sam Karr took an excellent low-down catch at extra cover off Johnson’s bowling leaving Owens at 70 for 4 at drinks. There then followed an extraordinary period of play as Jonny Adam proceeded to claim 4 victims in just 3 overs thanks to fine catches by Paul Garrott and Wilkerson and two more batsmen clean bowled. Now at 89 with their last pair at the crease, the O-O’s captain, Alan Hunter required support from last man, Tony Palmer. He did precisely that and it took a further 11 overs before Palmer was removed for a well-made 20, caught off an under-edge by keeper, Bowman, from Wilkerson’s bowling. Crucially the partnership was worth 82 and Hunter remained undefeated on 66. Reed required 172 for victory. The experienced Paul Garrott and Peter Baker opened the innings but were soon split when Garrott was caught behind the wicket when the score was on 19. This brought the entrance of the hard-hitting Bill Mansfield and he and Baker [...]