Reed 1st XI could rightfully be described as King of the Langleys since beating, in the last 10 days, Abbotts Langley and Kings Langley in the Herts League, as well as thrashing Langleybury in the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Regional Finals of the National Village Cup on Sunday gaining them access to the final 32 teams nationally.

Saturday’s League 7 wicket victory against King’s Langley was the 1st XIs 3rd in a row, pushing them to 6th in the table, and provided an excellent boost ahead of their clash with Langleybury the following day. Despite losing the toss, and being asked to field in oppressive heat, the hosts got off to a positive start as Reed bowling supremos, Peter Tidey (25-4-66-7) and Michael Berks (10-3-39-1) both took early wickets thanks to some sharp catching by Simon Jackson at slip and Marcus Martin at square leg.

These breakthroughs allowed West Indian Jadanauth (22) to the crease who historically has caused Reed some difficulty with his measured approach. He progressed the score to 42 for 2, until Peter Tidey trapped him LBW signalling the beginning of Kings Langley’s demise. This boost spurned Tidey to continue toiling in the heat up the hill, as he progressively picked up further wickets to finish with 7. A stubborn partnership between Robinson (24) and Watson (36) was finally broken by some wayward bowling from James Heslam (1-0-14-1) but it provided the required aperture for Reed to exploit Kings Langley’s tail.

On a batting track, Reed were hopeful to gain 30 points, and Baz Curtis (13) and James Heslam (91) made a dream start by progressing the score to 35-0 until Curtis eventually fell to a close caught behind decision. This allowed Heslam to take on responsibility as he gracefully drove, cut, pulled and hooked his was to a majestic 91. His fluency was a welcome reminder of the scintillating form of which he is capable, and serves as a timely omen for future Village Cup rounds and League games. Together with Tom Fulk (37*), the score progressed to 148-2 when Heslam wearily offered a caught and bowled opportunity to Morton (17.1-3-60-2). William Clarke (11*) then came to the crease to knock off the winning runs with Fulk, and secure the 30 point maximum.