A stunning stand of 70 at more than a run a ball by Shenley Village’s ninth wicket pair a la Bairstow/Stokes stole the match from Reed after they looked set for their first win in four.
Reed set off well with Sam Osborne moving confidently to 18 until Aussie Nissen made one leap on him and the keeper snaffled the chance. There was a repeat perfomance against Max Sanderson which the umpire adjudged to be out too. After a 57 run partnership between Will Heslam (34) and Zac McGuigan (37) Reed were going well at 90 for 2, but 4 quick wickets left them in trouble. However, Bertie Scott (20), Karl Ward (16) and, chiefly, skipper for the day Sean Tidey, with a sublime 48 steered them to 218 all out.
Northants batter, Charlie Thurston, tucked into Reed’s pace attack with a string of boundaries, but he carelessly lofted McGuigan to Sam Osborne at cover and when keeper, Kallum Ward, pouched a chance off McGuigan, Shenley were on the back foot. At tea though, they had rebuilt to 100 for 3. On the resumption, Toby Fynn took over, taking 4 for 60 from 19 consecutive overs with more help from Ward and Osborne in the field. 122 for 7 seemed to indicate a Reed victory, but even another Ward/McGuigan wicket couldn’t halt the onslaught of Vekaria (29) and Shafiq (42) for the ninth wicket. They smashed 11 boundaries and one maximum offering just two difficult chances with no bowler immune from the barrage. Consequently, Shenley won by 2 wickets.
An exciting contest then, which fluctuated abruptly from one side to the other. Unfortunately, Reed were left with just bonus points at the end.
Match Report submitted by Peter Wholley.
