Abysmal, fumes skipper Martin

REED S Sunday team went down to their heaviest defeat of their North Herts League Division 1 campaign with a dismal display against Houghton Town. They had got off to a bright start, with Richard Johnson (8-1-26-0) and Andy Wholley (7-1-38-1) bowling well

REED'S Sunday team went down to their heaviest defeat of their North Herts League Division 1 campaign with a dismal display against Houghton Town.

They had got off to a bright start, with Richard Johnson (8-1-26-0) and Andy Wholley (7-1-38-1) bowling well.

However, a good partnership between Faisal (50) and Nariner (32) helped get Houghton back on track.

Reed captain Marcus Martin then took two key wickets, including that of Nariner, alongside Jason Archer who also bowled well.

Karl Ward and Rupert Martin picked up a wicket apiece, but it was once again down to some poor fielding where Reed came unstuck.

The big hitting Kashie scored 84, despite being dropped five times, and Houghton finished on 241 from their 40 overs.

Reed's misery was compounded when they lost batsman Michael Robertson with a badly- injured finger, and had to play on with only 10 men.

Openers Ed Blissett and Phil Frenay put on 24, before Frenay was bowled by Azad for 10.

Arshad then bowled Blissett for 12, leaving Reed in trouble at 34-2.

Richard Johnson (14) and Marcus Martin (12) both looked set before falling to Arshad and Azad respectively, with the score on 52, before Matt Bowles (6) and Karl Ward (5) followed them to the pavilion.

Rupert Martin battled hard late on with 14 not out, and with Robertson's injury Reed were all out for 98-9.

Captain Martin said: "It was abysmal. You cannot expect to win cricket matches if you drop as many catches as we did.