Reed II 139-4 Preston 138 all-out Reed won by six wickets

REED IIs registered another 30 points at the weekend after an impressive six-wicket victory over Preston.

It was a great win for a side who have made an excellent start to the season in the Saracens Herts League Division Six.

Reed lost the toss and were not surprised to find themselves asked to field. Reed’s opening attack knew that a good line and length on the flat track would be vital and duly delivered. Peter Tidey and Kallum Ward conceded just 63 runs between them in the 31 overs they bowled. Tidey bowled a marathon spell of 21 overs taking 3-36. Ward came back to remove the stubborn last pair and finished with 3-27 and they were well supported by Mitchell Cooper who took 2-28 and Jason Archer 2-19.

Reed had looked in total control throughout their time in the field as Preston had collapsed to 48-5 and then 81-8, but as so often happens the last two wickets were hard to get.

Preston’s Harrington supplied some resistance for the visitors with a very patient 27 as he and Connah, the Preston number 10, put on 37 for the ninth wicket before Ward had him caught by Cooper at mid-wicket.

Connah continued to play his shots and had moved to an excellent 33 before being bowled by an excellent yorker from Ward to leave the visitors 138 all-out.

Reed’s reply didn’t start too well as skipper Baz Curtis was dismissed for only two while Fergus Martin was dismissed for three after being caught lbw.

At 11-2 it seemed 138 might be a challenge but the in-form Richard Johnson had other ideas. He and William Heslam put on 53 for the third wicket before Heslam was caught for 11 before Ward came to the crease.

Ward smashed the new ball to all corners of the park in a quick-fire 26 before going for one shot too many and was bowled for 26.

With the score at 94-4, it looked like Reed would coast to a comfortable victory. Preston didn’t give up, though, and removed Roddi Liebenberg for six and then immediately after drinks Johnson was caught for an excellent 69.

With Reed on 122-6 and needing 17, it was left to the young pair of Cooper (4) and Tidey (15) to see the home side notch another welcome points total.