The Firsts won their third match in a row, but only off the last ball of an exciting, high scoring game against high flying Hemel Hempstead Town.
Ilangaratne (58) and Penny (39) established a fine base for the host’s innings with a century stand, so skipper, Tom Greaves turned to his young leg break bowler, Sam Osborne, who had both caught trying to hit over the field. Osborne (3-40) , the frugal Toby Fynn (2-27) and Bertie Scott (1-37) soon had Hemel floundering at 138-5, but Doodson (26) , Australian Billy Jones (49 not out) and Parkins (35 not out) took control, the latter two scoring 49 from the last four overs to finish on 251-6.
Reed were always behind the run rate, although a partnership of 66 for the fourth wicket between Rob Lankester (75) and Matt Sampson (36) gave some hope at 138-4. However when Lankester was brilliantly caught aiming for a maximum on the long straight boundary and Greaves (29) was bowled by opposing captain, Nick Hodgins (3-42), the game seemed to be over. Reed were left needing 49 from 5 overs, but with only 2 wickets remaining. This did not phase the Tidey brothers with Sean attacking the bowling and Jack alternating the strike, they powered their way through to the last over needing fifteen for victory. Two sixes and a wide meant just 2 were required from two balls. A desperate scramble on a misfield saw Jack run out, but they had one of the runs and Sean finished proceedings on the last delivery, easing the ball over the infield to claim an unlikely victory. Once again Sean Tidey was the hero with a fabulous knock of 57 from 32 balls with 5 fours and three sixes in a chanceless, brilliantly paced innings with several ramped boundaries.
It looks like there will be an exciting end to the league season with only 55 points separating all the teams, barring the top and bottom sides. There is all to play for!
Match Report submitted by Peter Wholley.
