Reed 1st XI ensured a home play-off place for promotion to the Saracens Herts Premier League with this emphatic win over Ampthill. Ampthill won the toss and elected to bat only to see Zac McGuigan strike in the first over. Soon Jack Tidey was in on the act, taking two cheap wickets, leaving Ampthill 30 for 3 after 10 overs. Ampthill revived with a partnership of 70 from Darlow and Lewin, but with the introduction of Tom Greaves (8-1-22-4) the innings soon subsided to 128 all out in the 33rd over.
Reed’s innings got off to an inauspicious start when the dangerous Ed Wharton was bowled first ball by Sneath. But a good partnership between McGuigan (70) and W. Heslam (28) put Reed in the driving seat. After two wickets fell cheaply, Stuart Smith (13 not out) supported McGuigan and Jack Caine to take Reed over the line. This result put Reed in an unassailable 2nd position with their final game against leaders Hoddesdon next weekend. However only a victory by a huge margin would see Reed overhaul their opponents to finish top of the league and guarantee promotion.
Realistically Reed will meet either Luton Town & Indians or West Herts in the play-off game at Reed on Saturday September 14th, the day before they appear at Lord’s for the Final of the National Village Cup.
Match Report submitted by Richard Robertson.
