Reed 1st XI took on top of the table Hitchin on the Green with the memory of last week’s debacle at Chorleywood. Fortunately, Richard Robertson had prepared a much easier strip which produced an even contest between bat and ball.
The visitors chose to bat first, but Reed’s opening attack of Matt Giblin and Julien Fynn managed to keep the score to no more than four an over. Indeed, Fynn removed the top three, including the dangerous Chandaraja for just 33 runs in his 10 overs. John Huggins then went on the attack with a flurry of boundaries and was supported by Will Guest in a stand of 87.
However, tight lines by Ollie Johnson and Rob Lankester kept the scoring rate down. They also picked up a wicket each and restricted Huggins to a string of singles. The unlucky Lankester nearly ended his innings early with a great effort to claw the ball down on the boundary - he saved the maximum but just couldn’t keep his balance to complete the catch. Huggins eventually holed out to Tom Greaves well taken by Will Heslam on the mid-wicket boundary for a potentially match winning 85. Heslam and Giblin took 3 wickets between them to prevent Hitchin from accelerating away restricting them to 210 -9.
Hitchin have a renowned pace bowling attack, but Tom Thorpe took them on with 7 boundaries and a six in his 47. Supported by Kallum Ward and some uncharacteristic wide balls they built a platform of 70 before 4 quick wickets threatened to undermine their efforts. It was then that Charlie Walters took charge, looking fluent from the start. With Lankester (22) he put on a half century partnership that swung the game back in Reed’s favour. When Lankester was trapped in front the spinners turned the screw and the game was in the balance. In the 46th over 25 were still needed, but Tom Greaves (32) won the game taking 21 from the previously miserly Khalid. Fittingly, Walters completed the innings with a boundary to finish a fine knock of 63.
Reed are now 3rd in the League just 2 points behind Hitchin.