Eversholt

Lee Johnson, making his village cup debut as captain standing in for the injured Heslam won the toss and elected to bowl to make the most of some overnight dampness in the wicket. And Johnson (2-33) led from the front taking two early wickets in an excellent opening spell, one thanks also to a superb catch by keeper Sean Tidey. Johnson was supported by Jack Tidey (1-44) who also picked up an early breakthrough and this saw Eversholt struggling at 36 for 3 after 12 overs.

Although the home side then began to consolidate, with Mitchell Cooper bowling well and the impressive Peckett (2-36) also hitting his lines, Reed were continuing to restrict their opponents. However, a potential platform had been set and this suddenly seemed to be the case as Eversholt’s lower middle order began to let loose. On a small ground, difficult to defend the boundaries began to be hit and the home side had an excellent last 10 overs to post a very challenging score of 214-7 from their 40 overs.

Although, on a good batting wicket and a small sized ground, this was going to be a tough ask for the visitors. However, they set off in the right tone with makeshift opener Sean Tidey (15) and the in form Tom Greaves (26) hitting 5 sixes between them in the first 10 overs. However, they both fell looking to find further boundaries and at 47-2 after 12 overs the game was certainly in the balance. This position continued as Karl Ward (29) and Stuart Smith (44) consolidated the innings well keeping Reed in the hunt putting the bad ball away well.

When Ward fell for a good knock at 82 for 3 after 21 overs, Reed had wickets in hand, but were in need of upping the rate. However, cometh the hour cometh the man as this came in the form of Roddi Liebenberg. Making his 1XI debut after several impressive knocks for the 2XI he quickly played himself in before taking the Eversholt attack apart. He smashed 75 in just 41 balls including 8 sixes that had the large sized crowds ducking for cover cheering on from the boundary.

When Liebenberg eventually fell caught on the boundary Reed found themselves in the driving seat at 192 for 5 after 34 overs only requiring 23 to win from 30 balls, a much better equation. Nevertheless, there was still work to be done particularly when Village Cup stalwart Smith, after another crucial knock, and quarter final hero Jack Tidey also departed. However, with a long batting line up paying off, Ed Garrott and Phil Frenay played beautifully to see Reed home by 4 wickets with 2 overs to spare.

Reed will play North Mymms or Botany Bay in the final at Reed on Sunday June 12th.