Reed are once again through to the Keatley Cup Final after they overcame Aspenden on Tuesday night at the heath. Reed Captain Stuart Smith won the toss and elected to bowl first. Having been put into bat Aspenden got off to a decent start reaching 30-0 before Reed had their first breakthrough in the 3rd over. This came when Booth (8) was bowled by the impressive Allsopp (3-21). Despite this setback Aspenden continued at 10 an over, largely thanks to Sapsford who struck the ball cleanly on his way to a hard-hitting 36. When Sapsford became Allsopps second victim of the night, the total had moved onto 56-2 in just 5 overs and the innings looked well set. Groom (33) batted well to put Aspenden at 102-4 after 10. However, as the innings went on, the Reed bowlers were able to exert increasing control over the scoring rate with both Flack and Curtis bowling tight. Strange (18 not out) did help guide Aspenden to a competitive score of 133 but the total was held back by the efforts of Archer who came on to good effect in the closing overs, recording figures of 3-21, including a hat-trick ball. In reply Reed never looked in trouble after James Heslam and Simon Jackson forged an opening stand of 92 in just 7 overs. Heslam hit 9 boundaries in an aggressive 57 ensuring that Reed were well above the required rate. Jackson (31) also batted impressively and continued the good work until he too fell with the score at 110. By then the damage had been done, and it was left to Curtis (16 not out) and Fulk (12 not out), to see Reed home by 8 wickets and into the final. Groom and Potter being the Aspenden wicket-takers. |
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