Reed Firsts redeemed themselves after last week’s fiasco by putting in a much improved performance against top of the table Shenley Village. Choosing to bat first, Reed set off with their best opening stand of the season, Will Heslam (44) and Sam Osborne (18) compiling 62 before Shenley snapped up 4 quick wickets. However, either side of lunch, Stuart Smith (26) and Kallum Ward (35) put on 68 together until Herts County spinner Ashley Sivrajah ripped through the middle order with figures of 5 for 32. Looking at a total of just 150, Sean Tidey took control of the innings by keeping the strike and finally punishing Sivarajah by taking him for another 37 runs, including 4 maximums. As a result, Reed totalled a respectable 202 for 9 against 3 first class spinners and in the process Sean reached his unbeaten half century.
In reply, Charles Thurston set off in spirited fashion, but Jack Tidey gained his prize scalp, caught behind by brother Sean. Jack’s 11 overs brought him figures of 2 for 43. Shenley have packed their top order with fine attacking batsmen this season as they look to win promotion without going through another play off, so it wasn’t until Matt Giblin bowled Nish Selvakumar for 37 that Reed took another wicket (136 for 3). Despite the valiant efforts of Giblin (2-28) and Heslam (1-16), Shenley cruised home, winning by 5 wickets, thanks largely to a well paced unbeaten knock of 71 by Australia A Captain, Nathan McSweeney, (who incidentally is tipped for an Ashes call-up if England can nobble one of Australia’s main batsmen).
Altogether a very creditable result against the favourites for promotion this year.
Match Report submitted by Peter Wholley.
