Reed romped to an emphatic Keatley Cup Final victory over Royston on the Heath on Tuesday evening to land the areas most prestigious knock out Cricket Trophy for the eigth time in the last 21 years.

Veteran Reed skipper John Heslam who, in company with Peter Tidey has played in all eight Reed wins (the first in 1983!) won the toss and invited Royston to bat on a balmy summers evening in front of a good sized crowd.

The match started in dramatic style with Tidey bowling both John Welch and Nigel Gadsby in his first over leaving Royston reeling at 4 for 2. In the next over Newman punished some loose bowling from Richard Johnson but “Jonno” had the last laugh bowling him off the final ball of the over for 16. The drama continued in Tidey’s next over when Royston skipper Steve Gwynne firmly struck a full toss to leg but this merely resulted in a brilliant low catch being grabbed by James Heslam inches from the ground at short square leg taking the score to 24 for 4.

A short period of consolidation and calm followed as Paul Miller and Ed Johnson saw Royston to 62 for 4 but then the drama returned with the introduction of 19 year old Jim Allsopp into the Reed attack. Off Allsopp’s fifth ball Miller was brilliantly caught at long on by Ben Bowles for 30 and the following ball Allsopp bowled Johnson for 8. A rare hat trick was completed when Allsopp spread-eagled Jim Perkins stumps with the very next delivery to leave Royston in total disarray at 62 for 7.

Allsopp’s second over produced almost as much excitement as the first as he took the last 3 Royston wickets, two more clean bowled, as he ended with the magnificent figures of 2 overs 6 for 4. Royston were all out for 69 having utilised only 9 of their available 15 overs.

Reeds reply was led by James Heslam, returning after a serious finger injury, and Simon Jackson. The Royston bowling attack led by Charlie Walker-Smith and Steve Gwynne proved unable to make any impression as the Reed pairing ran well between the wickets and Heslam in particular severely punished any wayward deliveries.

Nigel Gadsby and Junior Thomas were equally unsuccessful as Reed moved comfortably to the required total. With only two needed to win Heslam planted a huge six into the noisy throng of Reed supporters surrounding the pavilion to bring the match to a fitting end and see the village side to a notable and comprehensive Cup triumph.

In most years Heslam’s 44 not out would have been enough to secure the Man of the Match Trophy but the Award of course went to Jim Allsopp for his brilliant hat trick boosted return of 6 for 4.