REED seconds chased 186 in vain on Sunday in an entertaining North Herts League game at home to Ickleford. A frustrating afternoon for the hosts began when they lost Neil Haslam and Karl Ward shortly before the game due to injury and Village Cup commitme

REED seconds chased 186 in vain on Sunday in an entertaining North Herts League game at home to Ickleford.

A frustrating afternoon for the hosts began when they lost Neil Haslam and Karl Ward shortly before the game due to injury and Village Cup commitments.

However, as usual Reed were able to call upon some promising youngsters, with Mitchell Cooper and Naeem Jnr both taking three wickets a piece.

The warm conditions and surprising lack of bounce at Reed made it hard work for their young bowlers, and subsequently had to wait until the 20th over for their first breakthrough.

In reply Ed Blissett looked well set for Reed before being caught on 47, and Barlow (19) and Naeem Snr (21) perished in the same fashion leaving Reed with a mountain to climb.

Greaves (5) and Baker (30) threatened to take the score on, but some tight bowling from an experienced Ickleford side sealed a 38-run victory and the hosts eventually finished on 147-8 from their 40 overs.