REED S Sunday captain Marcus Martin blamed his team s failure in the field for their defeat against North Herts League Division 1 champions Holwell. I m hugely disappointed at our fielding display, and to be honest we probably didn t bowl our best either

REED'S Sunday captain Marcus Martin blamed his team's failure in the field for their defeat against North Herts League Division 1 champions Holwell.

"I'm hugely disappointed at our fielding display, and to be honest we probably didn't bowl our best either," said Martin.

"In total we dropped six catches, and when you're up against class batsmen like Holwell have you're going to get punished.

"On the other hand I felt we batted quite well, with Richard Johnson and me building a good partnership, and 213 was not a bad score for 40 overs."

Reed openers Tom Fulk (8) and Phil Frenay (0) both fell early, falling victim of Holwell's pacemen Parkins and Dixon.

Dixon also accounted for Michael Robertson (4) whose dismissal left Reed struggling on 17-3.

Richard Barlow and Karl Ward showed some resilience for Reed however, with Barlow looking solid, and Ward finding boundaries to take Reed over the 50 mark.

However, Dixon struck again, removing Ward for 22, and then Barlow for 11 with Reed in trouble at 64-5 after 14 overs.

Marcus Martin and Richard Johnson then set about salvaging the innings, with both batsmen showing their class, with a fine array of shots both sides of the wicket.

Martin reached his 50 with eight boundaries, Johnson making his with six fours.

When Johnson (53) went, Matt Bowles joined his captain, and the pair took the score to 197 before Martin was caught for a magnificent 76, and Reed finished their 40 overs on 213-7.

In reply, Holwell faced the pace attack of Andy Wholley and Rupert Martin, but Parkins and Rudder more than held their own, and started finding the boundaries with ease.

Parkins plundered the Reed attack for 73.

Rudder was also causing a number of problems, with Reed counting the cost of dropped catches, Rudder was dropped four times on his way to an unbeaten 80.

After Parkins was run out, Dixon (45) came into the fray, and his no-nonsense style helped Holwell to a nine wicket victory.