Reed became the first team this season to defeat league leaders, West Herts, with a strong all-round performance. However, Sean Tidey caught the eye by top scoring with 46 not out coming in at no.9, keeping to the opening bowlers, pouching a catch at slip and tying down the middle order with 2-28 from 13 overs.
After two quick dismissals to the fiery Will Jones (15-3-47-4) Ed Wharton (35) and Chris Jackson (31) rebuilt the Reed innings, only for their demises in consecutive overs. This left Stuart Smith (42) to maintain some impetus, but when he was joined by Tidey with 124-7 on the board, the match seemed lost. Together they scored steadily and, even with Smith’s dismissal, a quick-fire undefeated 14 from 7 balls by Toby Fynn enabled Tidey and Reed to reach a respectable 199-9 against a formidable attack containing two county bowlers.
West Herts’s openers started brightly, but Ed Wharton (2-34) and Jack Tidey (1-26) breached their defences, which led to the regular fall of wickets to Sean Tidey and Toby Fynn (8-1-35-3). Tom Greaves, who had marshalled his bowling attack skilfully, wrapped up the innings with two late wickets. Mention must also be made of some excellent leg side catches by Rob Lankester (3) and Matt Sampson (2), whilst Chris Jackson, deputising for Tidey behind the stumps, snaffled a brace of his own.
West Herts were dismissed for 132, leaving Reed with a comfortable 67 run winning margin and moving them up to fourth in the table.
Report submitted by Peter Wholley
