Reed cruised in to the semi finals of the Herts/Beds section of the National Village Cup after a convincing 94 run win over Botany Bay on Sunday. Having lost the toss and being asked to bat skipper James Heslam (14) and youngster Tom Greaves (23) got Reed off to a solid start putting on 29 for the 1st wicket. After losing both openers quickly it bought to the wicket Reed’s two inform batsman Stuart Smith and Richard Johnson.
Despite starting slowly but solidly they soon found the momentum and started to strike the ball to all corners of the ground. Smith reached a chanceless 50 before holing out for 85 trying to accelerate the scoring whilst Johnson was unlucky to get out to the ball of the day for 43. The 2 put on 102 in 20 overs. Reeds middle order continued to score with a great mixture of quick singles and bludgeoning big hits. Karl Ward (42 not out), Phil Frenay (11), Ed Garrot and village cup debutant Jack Tidey (15 not out) all helped Reed to a mammoth 264-6 in 40 overs, scoring 170 in the last 20 overs.
After a cool down and quick bite to eat, Reed went about the bowling and fielding superbly. Lee Johnson (2-32) got the 1st wicket with the openers stump cart wheeling out of the ground and not to be outdone Graham Wilson (2-45) got the number 3 out shortly after. Jack Tidey bowled well taking 3-26 trying to emulate his Village Cup legend Uncle Pete Tidey. Jordan for Botany Bay showed great resistance and shot selection on his way to 37 before being out thought by Greaves (2-29), with his wily spin bowling. Whilst Sutcliffe had a slog at the end of Botany Bays innings before Garrott took the final wicket enabling Reed to win by 94 runs. Captain Heslam, said “it was a great all round performance. All the batsman got run, we bowled tightly and we caught some good catches in the heat. Hopefully this will give us some good momentum for our league campaign and for the semi final, which will be at home to the winners of Wormley and Eaton Bray.
