Reed travelled to Langleybury in the Regional Semi-Final of the National Village Cup on Sunday. Winning the toss skipper Rob Lankester asked the hosts to bat. Tight bowling from both Toby Fynn (8-1-18-2) and Jack Tidey (8-0-25-2) were well rewarded as Langleybury were wobbling at 29 for 4. A brief respite came with a fifth wicket stand of 46 between Roe and Ross before a smart caught and bowled by Chris Chambers (8-0-42-2) ended Ross’s knock. Reed’s changed bowlers of Chambers, Julien Fynn (8-1-31-1) and Sean Tidey (8-0-31-1 ) backed up the opening bowling spells as they restricted the hosts to 160 for 9 off 40 overs. Roe top scoring with a truculent 58.
With only a shade over four runs an over needed, Reed set off confidently with Will Heslam and Kallum Ward building a partnership quickly. Heslam fell for 11 (32-1) brought 17 year old Sam Osborne to the crease he was given lbw for 5 and Reed were then 48-2 in the 13th over. Rob Lankester joined Ward at the crease and the pair played near faultless cricket at they motored towards their target. Ward hit 7 fours and 2 sixes in his 75-ball 69 not out and skipper Lankester 3 fours and four sixes in a 45-ball 50 not out, their unbeaten 115 run partnership off a mere 88 balls. Lankester hit the winning runs with a six over the club house to secure an 8 wicket victory and a date away with Redbourn in the Regional Final on 4th June.
Match Report submitted by Neil Haslam.
