Reed IV were inserted by Preston with an immediate reward, Matt Yates (0) falling second ball. Paul Garrott (89) was a steadying influence throughout the innings being the last wicket to fall, which then resulted in a declaration. Bill Mansfield (18) and Lloyd Bowman (23) were the only other batmen to enter double digits. Mansfield was unlucky, caught on the boundary as the fielder reached overhead. Garrott and Bowman having a mid-innings stand of 49. Runs were always being hard to collect with only 17 boundaries and Reed finishing on 179 for 8 off 40.4 overs. We have to thank Preston for a sumptuous tea. If runs were hard to collect, so were wickets, Yates and Ed Kershaw opened the bowling and were economical with 39 off the first 11 overs. A change of bowling, saw Steve Hughes collect the wicket of the Preston captain with his first ball. With young Cormac Hosie (5-0-33-1) collecting a wicket in his last over, just displacing the bail. Meanwhile Hughes (12-1-33-3) was bowling economical from the other end, collecting 2 more wickets, one thanks to a catch at mid-off by Bowman. Jack Wilkerson (4-0-19-0) and Sam Rice (4-0-21-0) both had short spells, but remained wicket less. Yates (9-2-20-1) returned for 2 overs and collected a deserved wicket, giving Mansfield his second catch of the game behind the wickets. The game finished as a draw with Preston being 157 for 5 at the close of the match. An enjoyable match, played in a very good spirit, with Reed certainly having the younger side and earning some needed league points. Thanks again to Jerry Yates for his support, and being the match scorer. Report submitted by Steve Hughes.

Reed Fours entertained Preston Fours at The Freman Oval on Saturday 28th May. Skipper Lloyd Bowman called correctly and asked Preston to bat first. The opening attack of left-armer Matt Yates (6-0-17-0) and the medium pace of Neil Haslam (8-1-23-0) bowled accurately and the Preston openers Maxwell and Newell found runs hard to come by, reaching only 58-0 in 15 overs. Having bowled his compliment Haslam gave way to Kieran Willoughby and Yates was replaced by Steve Hughes. Although Willoughby (6-0-33-0) couldn’t find any consistent line and length in his spell, the batsman failed to punish him significantly. Preston had moved to 88 when Hughes (8-0-45-1) had Maxwell caught by Yates for 42. This brought the Preston skipper Saunders and he and Newell began to up the run rate. Leg-spinner Toby Emes (6-0-39-2) had come on to replace Willoughby, and with the score on 139 he forced a mis-hit from Saunders and Bowman took the catch. Number Four Taylor stay at the crease didn’t last long as he was bowled emphatically by Sam Deville (6-1-32-1) and Emes took his second wicket bowling Holt for a duck. Preston were now 162-4 with overs running out. Newell passed his fifty and with Neale took Preston to 206-4 in their 40 overs. Probably 30 runs short on the good Freman wicket. Reed opened their reply with Paul Garrott and Matt Yates. Both applied themselves to the task in hand taking no risks. Preston skipper Saunders was forced to change his bowlers on a regular basis. Garrott with his delicate touch around the field was now getting into his stride and he was more than ably supported by Yates who drove and cut the ball superbly. The score had [...]