Reed played host to Buckinghamshire Champions Stoke Green on Sunday at the Green in the last 32 of the National Village Cup knock-out competition.
In front of a good crowd, Reed skipper Tom Greaves won the toss and elected to field. Toby Fynn and Jack Tidey opened the bowling for the home side, and it couldn’t have got off to a better start, Fynn having opener Parmar well caught by Greaves for a duck from the 3rd ball of the day. This set the tone for the innings with a superb bowling and fielding display from the two-time champions. Stoke Green were reduced to 18 for 5 once Tidey (8-1-18-1) and Fynn (8-1-16-4) had bowled out.
Reed allrounder Mitchell Cooper was introduced to the attack along with Greaves and although they looked to be troubling the batsman, the Stoke Green middle order rebuilt well. Having got to 57 for 5 Greaves struck but again the Stoke Green middle order rebuilt, Ghumann in particular batted beautifully as he passed 50.
This left it to Reed’s second change pair of Sean Tidey (2.5-0-17-3) and Jack Caine (3-0-22-1) to mop up the tail and bowl Stoke Green out for 141. A score that looked well under par on a decent batting wicket at the Green.
After a very enjoyable Tea, Reed openers Sean Tidey and Richard Wharton set about knocking the runs off. Sean in particular, looked in a very aggressive mood and almost in the blink of an eye was passed his 50, with a mix of classy strokes and lusty blows, meanwhile Wharton was knocking the ball around nicely in typical fashion. With the score at 88, Tidey went for one blow too many as he was caught on the boundary for a blistering 76, from 42 balls including 9 fours and 4 sixes! Rob Lankester was next in and set about his business only to be caught from a top edge with the score at 107 for 2. This prompted a mini-collapse as the score slipped to 119 for 5. Greaves (21 not out) was joined at the crease by Jack Caine (1 not out) and steadied the ship as Reed cruised past the total in 28 overs and march onto the last 16.
Reed will play Kent Champions Borstal CC at the Green on July 7th for a place in this year’s Quarter-Finals! All support greatly welcomed.
Match Report submitted by TDG.
