Reed began their NVC campaign away at Langleybury. Winning the toss, captain Jack Tidey inserted the hosts. Manzoor blitzed his way to a 23-ball 35 before falling to the first of three Stuart Smith catches. This off of Toby Fynn. Jack Tidey sent fellow opener Walker back soon after and with the opening bowling attack taking a further wicket each, Langleybury were wobbling at 57 for 4. Julien Fynn on his NVC debut took a wicket with his first ball, the second of two James Heslam catches. Skipper Will Oxley and Ross Channer then built a 96-run partnership before Sean Tidey removed Oxley for 65. Julien Fynn took two further wickets and Channer remained 29 not out as Langleybury ended on 187 for 9. Wickets were shared around J Fynn 3-31, T Fynn 2-37, J Tidey 2-40 and S Tidey 2-47.
Reed set about their reply steadily before Jack Tidey was bowled by Illot for 11, Rob Lankester soon followed (19-2). The Heslam brothers James and Will dug deep until James went for 23, the first of three wickets for Cheeseman. Will went for a gritty 27 (86-5). Despite being hit in the face Stuart Smith hit 31 but wickets were falling regularly. At 118-8 Matt Bowles strode out, he kept Reed’s hopes alive with a cameo 27 off 22 balls and shared a 40-run partnership with Julien Fynn. However it wasn’t to be as lllot and Oxley returned to take the last two wickets giving Langleybury a 27 run victory.
Report submitted by Neil Haslam.
