An inspirational performance by Chris Phillipo and outstanding fielding by the Reed side upset the form book and took the visitors into the County finals. On the same track that Graham Hick hit his 150 against Herfordhisre last week, the teams found runs hard to come by and the direction of the match turned on two quick thinking athletic run outs by keeper Conrad Wellstead and bowler Andrew Wholley who dismissed the dangerous Hertford openers, both at the non-strikers’ end. In fact the last 9 wickets fell for 22 as Reed held some fine catches, notably by the Wilson brothers, Robert and James. However it was Chris Phillipo who instigated the collapse with an inspired spell of 5-9, including a hat-trick to wrap up the innings.

Stung by such a low score, County opening fast bowler, David Stevenson, with 4-4 soon had Reed’s stumps flying and at 33-7 an away victory seemed unlikely as only Chris Welding (14) withstood the pace. Yet again, though, it was Phillipo (11*) together with the Wilsons, whose lusty blows steered the side home. Reed now face the winners of the other 3 regional ties in the finals at Haileybury on Sunday.