DESPITE a solid batting and bowling display at Flitwick seconds, Reed seconds missed out on maximum points with the hosts holding out for a draw. Winning the toss, Reed captain Jason Archer made the easy decision to bat first and sent in openers James B

DESPITE a solid batting and bowling display at Flitwick seconds, Reed seconds missed out on maximum points with the hosts holding out for a draw.

Winning the toss, Reed captain Jason Archer made the easy decision to bat first and sent in openers James Bell and Matt Bowles, with the pair getting Reed off to a rapid start.

When Bell was dismissed for 14, Mark King stepped up, and he too found some early boundaries, as his side looked to set a big score.

Ian Fulk and Richard Johnson took the game to the Flitwick attack, and both looked in fine form as they mixed good running with some well-timed boundaries.

Johnson was timing the ball immaculately, and looked set for a challenging score as Reed reached 106-3.

However, the introduction of leg spinner Thurstance (15-3-78-3) proved to be a turning point for Flitwick, removing Johnson for 32, and then Chris Shorrock for just five.

Ed Garrott then fell victim to a Thurstance delivery, before Fulk was dismissed just shy of a half century.

Karl Ward and Jim Allsopp (45 not out) increased Reed's total as they finished on 239-8 off their allotted 53 overs.

Flitwick's reply was instant, as openers Nicklin and Sonnerfield found the boundaries to take them to 60, before Ward and Johnson combined to see off Nicklin.

Johnson, Archer, and Garrott all took further wickets that left the home side on 150-6.

With overs rapidly running out, Reed needed four wickets for the win, with responsibility falling to Ward, who then took two wickets in his first three overs.

Nevertheless, with Sonnerfield remaining unbeaten on 84, and his young partner blocking out admirably, Reed were unable to get the last two wickets needed to secure them 30 points, and had to settle for 18, as Flitwick finished their 47 overs on 180-8.