Reed continued their promotion push on Saturday with a 4 wicket win over Shenley Village. Rain meant a delayed start but Reed came out of the blocks quickly. Opening bowlers Lee Johnson and Jack Tidey (10-4-24-2) yet again took early wickets leaving Shenley struggling at 15-3. A partnership started to build before Tom Greaves (14-2-45-1) had Stanley caught for 16. After good spells from Tom Walsingham and Mitchell Cooper, Lee Johnson returned from the other end to rip through the middle and lower order of Shenley Village. He accounted for dangermen R.Hammill (56) and M.Evans (31). Johnson then took 4 more wickets in a fine display of patient bowling. The impressive Johnson ended with figures of (16-2-44-7). This left Reed needing 154 to win in 44 overs.
With the weather still looming Reed openers James and Will Heslam knew that they had to build a solid platform. They did just this and took advantage of some very average bowlers who were being hit for 5 and 7 an over respectively. Hammill, who starred with the bat for Shenley broke the partnership with the score on 63 when he had Will Heslam caught for 28. Skipper James Heslam kicked on but lost Greaves (7) leaving Reed 89-2. Heslam passed 50 and was finding the boundary regularly before being bowled by the impressive Nikhil Borkatria who took 4- 43. Heslam made 63 including 13 fours. Sean Tidey (20) and Marcus Martin (16) both contributed to the Reed reply and guided Reed to within 12 of victory. Mitchell Cooper (12 not out) and Phil Frenay (3 not out) saw Reed home in 38.5 overs .
Reed now lay 2nd in the table and are travelling to Abbotts Langley next Saturday before the small matter of the National Village Cup National Semi Final on Sunday away at Goatacre (Wiltshire).
