Wicketkeeper-batsman falls agonisingly short of deserved hundred

SHL Division Two

Redbourn 208-9 Reed 209-5

Reed won by five wickets

A GARY Sandford inspired batting performance was not enough for Redbourn to avoid another defeat, this time at the hands of Division Two leaders Reed.

Batting first, Redbourn’s innings started well enough with runs coming freely as they reached 46-1 in 13 overs. However, they were to lose the key wickets of Dan Roe and Dean Dass in the 14th over and at 46-3 Redbourn once again had an uphill battle on their hands to post a competitive total. Sandford stood firm and after a 34 run fourth wicket partnership with Darren Bassill, he was well supported by Ben Roe (36) and George Naismith (23) in partnerships of 70 and 50 respectively. Sandford batted for all but one of Redbourn’s 53 overs before he was bowled seven runs short of what would have been a well deserved century as Redbourn finished on 208-9, their highest score of the season so far.

However, much of this good work was soon undone as Redbourn’s opening bowlers bowled far too many loose deliveries which were easily put away by Reed’s attacking opening pair.

After just five overs they had scored 60 runs and the momentum of the game was well and truly back with Reed.

This resulted in the early introduction of spin to the attack as Dan Darvell and Dass helped to bring some normality to proceedings and Darvell was soon rewarded with the wicket of Greaves (40), well caught by Naismith on the boundary. Reed continued to score freely albeit at a much slower rate, and the score had moved on to 147 when Darvell picked up his second wicket, with Reed captain Heslam skying to David Wright at mid-off.

After his disastrous first spell, Jon Fleming (2-48) returned to the attack and bowled a much improved spell, taking two wickets either side of another from the impressive Darvell (3-76) to give Redbourn a glimmer of hope but it was not to be as Reed comfortably reached their target with five wickets and four overs to spare.