REED I were unfortunate in the end to draw with Redbourn in a close encounter on Saturday.

REED I were unfortunate in the end to draw with Redbourn in a close encounter on Saturday.

Reed just ran out of overs in the end as Lee Johnson took Redbourn’s ninth wicket with the last ball of the day.

Batting first, all of Reed’s top four batsmen got in on a wicket that was neither easy nor free scoring, especially with tight bowling and good fielding from Redbourn.

Skipper James Heslam and Tom Greaves got Reed going before Greaves was first to go for 15 and Heslam was just finding his form before he went for 22.

Liam Mckechnie and Chris Jackson then started building the partnership that looked like it was going to set a total that would win the game. Mckecknie and Jackson were batting with style and grace before both fell for 32.

Reed went from a comfortable 99-2 to 106-5 when Will Dobson followed shortly after, despite hitting a massive 4. Marcus Martin (21), Jack Tidey (13) and another unbeaten display from Simon Jackson (11) kept Reed going to set Redbourn 170 to win.

At tea, Redbourn got off to a slow but solid start putting on 57 in nearly 22 overs. Will Dobson, back from his appearance against Buckinghamshire under-25s in the week, again bowled superbly taking 4-52 from his 17 overs.

Ed Garrott bowled with flight and guile in his 2-45 while S Root was the pick of the Redbourn batsmen with an unbeaten 50 and with his team not having the players to bat with him, they ended up on 157 and 13 runs short of the target.

Reed captain, Heslam, said after the game: “We were the better side in a really enjoyable game. Throughout the whole of their innings the game could have gone either way. I was pleased with our lads as we showed good intensity and ensured the final result. With one more over no doubt we would have won the game.”

Reed opening bowler Lee Johnson was the winner of the Cricket AM Speed Gun challenge in Harpenden last week.

It was shown on Sky Sports 1 on Saturday before Lee played against Redbourn.

With all cricketers having one ball to see how quick they could bowl, Lee came in at a remarkably impressive 74mph. Hemel Hempstead opening bowler Ifzal Nawaz matched it and it went to the first ever speed gun bowl-out.

Lee came in with an even quicker 76mph, only for Ifzal to match it again. In an unprecedented decision, Sky Sports decided to call the competition a draw.