Reed drove to Langleybury for the Hertfordshire/Bedfordshire regional finals. Despite narrowly losing in the finals to Langleybury in 2004, this failed to phase the North Herts side, as they notched up a thumping 8 wicket victory, despite last winning away at Langleybury in 1989 where the only current Reed player in the team being Peter Tidey. Now in the final 32 of the competition, Lords could soon be within Reed’s grasp.

Despite losing the toss, and being asked to field, Reed made a strong start, as Peter Tidey (9-2-20-1), on the back of his 7 League wickets the previous day, continued in the same vein by having Cooper caught at square leg for 4. His accurate spell ensured that the serial finalists were kept under pressure for runs throughout ensuring that the batsmen took unnecessary risks.

When A Khan (27) and M Fry (21) began to consolidate, it took an accurate and probing spell from William Clarke (9-1-33-3) to pick up 3 wickets in 3 overs to reduce Langleybury to 66-5. Struggling to lay roots, the rout continued as Richard Johnson (7-0-33-2) took the key wicket of Fry who represented a significant risk to the game running away from the challengers. At this stage, Langleybury were foundering on 96-7, thanks also to a stunning diving catch by Tom Fulk at gully and a penetrating and tight 6 over spell from Chris Jackson who picked up a couple of late wickets with his accurately flighted deliveries.

Finally reaching 160-8 off their 40 overs, due to a grafted innings from D Walker (44*), L Channer (17) and R Williams (17), Langleybury were still confident that the total was defendable with accurate bowling.

However, they did not accommodate for Baz Curtis’ (58) explosive hitting who obliterated Carter’s (3-0-34-0) left arm fast bowling with a scattering of 4s and 6s to help him reach his 50 in only 40 balls. This hard hitting saw the field flee to no avail to the boundary and spectators could sense the confidence dissipating from Langleybury by the over. It only took a ball that slowed up significantly to offer Williams a simple caught and bowled chance to dismiss the dangerman. With James Heslam (2) dismissed early after a glorious League 91 the previous day, Langleybury felt they had a chance should they take some cheap wickets. Yet this was far from the mind of Chris Jackson (61*) who batted responsibly and selectively to press home Reed’s advantage with Tom Fulk (33*). Reed finally reached the milestone to the cheers of their supporters within 31 overs allowing them to progress further down the road towards the ultimate Lords final.

Simon Jackson, club captain and 1st XI skipper was ecstatic following the game: “This is a truly significant event in the history of the club, especially after coming so close 2 years ago. On the back of 2 league wins, the bowling was penetrative and gave us the chance reach an achievable total. Baz Curtis’ performance in the first handful of overs blessed us with the psychological edge and really knocked the confidence out of Langleybury from the beginning”

Reed are due to face Buckinghamshire side, Bledlow Ridge, in a fortnight?s time in their crusade to be National Village Cup champions.