After 2 overs The Firsts had lost 3 wickets and even the umpires were planning the rest of their afternoon, but somehow they fought back to beat Old Elizabethans by 18 runs.
In an innings with 5 ducks, it was left to three half century partnerships to post a winning score. Kallum Ward (29) and Tom Greaves righted the boat putting together 71, but at 88-6 all seemed lost. Greaves (66), however played a disciplined innings, punishing the bad balls and was joined by an even more circumspect Sean Tidey in crafting a partnership of 52. When a tired Greaves was eventually caught with the score on 140 the game again looked over, However a resolute Sam Edkins (9*) joined Tidey, who first farmed the bowling, then reverted to his customary swashbuckling self plundering 31 from the last two overs to finish on 58 not out. A score of 200-8 could hardly be dreamt of after that terrible start.
More choppy seas lay ahead though as Jack Tidey, who had winkled out two of the host’s top order, broke down mid over with an arm injury. Greaves again stood up dismissing two more batters, but then Elizabethans fashioned their own half century stand until Greaves (3-52) finally had opener Halyal caught for 55. From being in the driving seat at 113-4, they then slid to 134-8 thanks to some wily bowling by Will Archer, but the match then took another twist as a stand of 43 put the game in the balance . Archer (3-39) at last broke the partnership, Will Heslam taking a smart catch on the boundary and Rob Lankester, (2-29) finished off the innings on 182.
What a roller coaster, but somehow Reed retain their lead at the top of the table with their ninth win of the season.