The 1st XI overcame Botany Bay away by 7 runs in the second round of the National Village Cup on Sunday.  Losing the toss, and being asked to bat on a very wet pitch caused initial problems, despite James Heslam (15) striking a powerful 6 off the fourth ball of the innings.  Yet, the day proved to be a bowling paradise, as N. Williams (9-5-23-2), J.Jarvis (9-5-11-2) and G. Jarvis (9-2-27-4) dominated Reed’s batting line-up.  Chris Jackson (24) and Richard Jerome (14) provided some resistance on a very slow outfield, but it was a masterful innings of 50* by Baz Curtis, including 2 sixes, which turned the tide for Reed seeing them to a defendable total of 136 for 9 off their 40 overs.

Botany Bay’s response began in racy fashion as they accelerated to 26 for no wicket off a handful of overs, until Michael Berks (9-3-16-1), in a inspired spell of fast bowling, bowled their opener J. Merrell (18).  This breakthrough was capitalised upon by Richard Johnson (9-2-20-1) who removed their other opener A.Gangola (5) thanks to a sharp slip catch from Baz Curtis.  However, similar to Botany Bay’s attack, it was the slow bowlers that profited from the conditions, as batsmen were forced to take calculated risks to force the ball to the boundary.  Despite some dropped catches, Reed held their nerve and reduced the batting side to 124 for 9.  Botany Bay’s innings was anchored by D. Raymond whose 53 proved to be a quality innings of patience and restraint in testing conditions.  Yet when Richard Jerome removed him, Botany Bay lay on 129 for with 2 overs to spare.  Yet this proved too much as William Clarke (5.2-0-24-2) snaffled the last two tailenders ensuring that they fell 7 runs short of the total within 39.2 overs, ending their Village Cup ambitions for another season.

Reed 1st XIs new League season in Division 2 kicks off (weather permitting) this coming Saturday with an away fixture versus Old Albanian, and the 2nd XI against Hitchin IIs.  The club’s National Village Cup quest continues in a fortnight against Hertingfordbury.