Reed IIIs maintained their winning start to the season at
home to Old Albanians IIIs on Saturday. Playing their first
game on their newly acquired home ground at Freeman
College, Reed captain Matt Bowles lost the toss and his
side were asked to field. Opening bowlers Kallum Ward and
Julian Fynn bowled excellently for little reward in the
opening exchanges, on what was turning out to be an
excellent track to bat on. The visitors made steady
progress and found themselves without loss on 66 after 22
Overs. The introduction of the returning Jim Allsopp and
the wily Richard Robertson soon turned the game in Reed’s
favour however, as Allsopp uprooted an off stump, before
Maseeh Naeem held on to a good catch to leave Albanians
70-2. Robertson then got in on the act, as his patient and
cunning spell of swing bowling proved too much for the
ailing batsmen, Robertson eventually ending up with 3
wickets. Kallum Ward also returned to the act with some
style, as the promising youngster bowled a brilliantly
accurate and pacey spell of seam bowling, taking 4 wickets,
including 3 in 7 balls. Julian Fynn then returned to
deservedly wrap up the tail. Old Albanians finally all out
for just 123.
In reply, youngster William Heslam picked up where he left
off from the week before, where he scored a half-century on
debut, by clattering the experienced Albanians attack to
all quarters. Heslam played some wonderful shots and
finished up on a magnificent 73 Not Out, ably supported by
Steve Lovegrove (35 Not Out) as Reed got home for the loss
of just one wicket, Peter Baker (9) to secure an impressive
9 wicket victory.