Reed began their Village Cup campaign on Sunday with a convincing win against Cambridgeshire league side Waresley. Having won the toss on a pitch dampened from the rain on Saturday that forced the 1st team game to be abandoned, skipper Heslam elected to put the opposition in. This decision was made to look a good one largely thanks to a quick and testing opening spell by 1st team vice-captain Andy Young who reduced Waresley too 0-3 at one stage. Well supported by a very economical piece of bowling by Peter Tidey (9-4-14-0), Young went on to take 4 wickets in his opening spell and leave the visitors reeling at 27-4 after 14 overs. Waresley recovered to 102-5 after 31 overs but with time running out and the other Reed bowlers doing a decent job they struggled to gain much momentum. The Reed fielding was also decent and Stuart Smith notably got in on the act with a fine direct hit run out from cover. The away side eventually were bowled out for 128 just inside their alotted 40 overs. Young returning to finish with 5-21 off his 9 overs. Jason Archer also picked up 2 wickets
In reply, Reed got off to a solid start before losing both openers Curtis and Heslam for 18 a piece. However, decent partnerships between Marcus Martin (44) & Tom Fulk (12) and then Martin & Smith (11no) saw Reed home with Martin imparticular looking in excellent touch with shots all round the wicket. After he fell just short of a deserved fifty Karl Ward came in to hit the winning runs. Reed now travel to Longmarston in the semi-final stages.
