Reed held to draw

Reed cricket round-up

SHL Division Two

Reed 270-7 (49 overs)

County Hall 209-7 (51)

Match drawn

REED were left frustrated on Saturday as they were held to a draw.

On a hot afternoon Reed won the toss and elected to bat, and James Heslam and Tom Greaves wasted no time punishing the early loose deliveries. Heslam (33) was first to fall, followed by Greaves (26) who together had got Reed off to an excellent start.

A flurry of quick wickets in the middle order slightly hampered proceedings, however Chris Jackson (63*) held the innings firm which allowed him to support the impressive Will Dobson who amassed a classy 88. Mitchell Cooper (31*) contributed well towards the end of the innings, who along with Jackson put on 55 before Reed declared with three overs of their allocation remaining, leaving County Hall chasing 271 for t he win.

In reply, Lee Johnson (2-78) made the early breakthrough for the visitors, however the pace bowlers were finding it difficult to extract too much out of the wicket. The introduction of Tom Greaves (3-51), again picking up a wicket with his first delivery saw Reed firmly on the front foot.

Will Dobson (2-21), likewise impressed with he ball, and the two bowled well in tandem together. At 118-7, Reed looked close to victory but a firm rearguard approach by Stevenson (52*) and Hibbert (33*) saw County Hall bat on to play out for the draw.

SHL Division Six

Reed IIs 161 (50 overs)

Flitwick IIs 164-4 (41)

Flitwick won by six wickets

The second team’s poor form with the bat cost them again as they were well beaten by Flitwick IIs.Reed openers Bas Curtis and Fergus Martin took their time and put the bad ball away with aplomb. Curtis was the first to go when he stopped on a drive and was caught at point.

A decent opening stand of 46 seemed to have set the foundation for a decent tota but unfortunately that became 46-2 the very next ball when Richard Johnson was removed. Richard Barlow and Martin moved the score along to 79 before Barlow was caught.

Wigfield has been brought into the attack and with some good flight he tempted Martin to try and hit over the top only to be caught at mid-off and 94-4 soon became 136-8. Marcus Baker struck a lusty 21 before being the last man as Reed were all out for 161.

The pitch held no dangers so Reed needed to bowl tightly. Nicklin had other plans and with some lusty blows looked to take the game away from Reed. He seemed to take a liking to Alex Kelly’s bowling, but Kelly had the final say when he bowled him for 14 with the score on 19. Kelly struck twice when the total had reached 37 and Reed saw a chink on light.

The Flitwick skipper, Summerfield, got his side to 84 before playing an uncharacteristic swipe was bowled by Julian Fynn. That was the last success for the home side as Flitwick secured the win.

A depleted Reed IIIs suffered a 77-run defeat away at Leverstock Green in Division Nine. George Garrott, playing his first game of the season, was one of the few positive aspects of a disappointing afternoon with an excellent display of bowling.

Reed IVs lost by six wickets against Wormley IIIs in Division 13.