Fine individual performances by Tom Greaves and James Heslam were ultimately in vain as Reed fell tantalisingly 18 runs short with 17 minutes of the game left to play.
Hemel Hempstead Town chose to bat on an easy-paced wicket, but two quick wickets set them off to a slow start. Opener Ilengeratne gradually built what turned out to be a match winning innings of 67, supported by Dodson (34) and Finch (25). For Reed Toby Fynn bowled tidily unchanged for figures of 14 overs, 5 maidens, 29 runs, 2 wickets, but the star turn was Tom Greaves whose 16 overs yielded 5 wickets for just 30 runs. Zac McGuigan also contributed a wicket, catch and a run out. Hemel were dismissed for 181 with 9 balls remaining.
The game seemed over when the top order collapsed to 76 for 6 due to spin wizard Mehta (18-8-27-3), but James Heslam and Bertie Scott (24) added 42 until the latter was caught and bowled by Parkins, who eventually took out the tail, finishing with 4 for 41. Heslam, however, steered the score through to 163, leaving the opposition biting their nails until Aussie, Jones, bowled Fynn with Heslam 50 not out.
Ultimately the top order played too many rash strokes to win a timed game.
Match Report submitted by Peter Wholley.
