Langleybury

After the winning the toss, Langleybury elected to bat. Reed opening bowlers Lee Johnson (9-1-37-1) and Jack Tidey (9-2-23-0) set the standard with some aggressive and accurate bowling. Tidey in particular gave both openers a working over and was unfortunate not to pick up a wicket. The game was well in the balance with Langleybury on 86 before the impressive Mitchell Cooper (9-3-19-3) picked up the wickets of both openers in quick succession.

Tom Greaves (9-0-29-2) grabbed the wicket of Langleybury skipper Rhys Williams for 4. 94-3 soon became 94-5 as Cooper and Greaves both struck again to leave Langleybury in a precarious position. The re-introduction of Lee Johnson bought another wicket before Kallum Ward (2-0-6-2) added to his 3 catches in the field by taking 2 wickets in an exciting and impressive couple of overs. Youngster Tom Walsingham (1.4-0-10-2) wrapped up the innings taking the final wicket. Langleybury ending on 131 all out in 39.4 overs.

With a low score set, nobody could have expected what was to come.

In reply, Reed got off to the worst possible start losing James Heslam early on but Tom Greaves (21) and William Heslam (39) took the total to 30 before Greaves departed. At 30-2 it was anyones game when Stuart Smith strode out to the wicket. He and Heslam Jnr Batted with class and style puting on 50 for the 3rd wicket before Heslam Jnr was caught off the bowling of K. Kelly and when Smith was run out soon after for 23, the tension grew around the ground. The hero from the previous round, Sean Tidey played a loose shot and paid the price being bowled by Kristian Martin for 4. 97-5.

Phil Frenay and Jack Tidey found themselves together with Reed needing 35 for victory with 5 wickets left. J.Tidey (13) looked to make a dent in the remaining runs hitting the only 6 of the game whilst Frenay was anchoring. A fine catch saw the back of Frenay and an even better one meant the end for the dangerous Tidey. Kallum Ward came and went, meaning that Mitchell Cooper and Lee Johnson needed to find 12 runs for victory.

Sensible but aggressive running saw the pair get the total required down to 5 from the final over. After negotiating the first 5 balls, Reed required 2 to win from the final ball. The ground fell silent and the final delivery was bowled. The silence turned to pandemonium and jubilation as Man of The Match, Cooper drilled the ball over the top to get the runs required for victory. A nerve jangling and exciting encounter to match those of previous battles. Reed will face Eaton Bray on Sunday the 17th at The Green in the area final.