Foxton warmed up for their National Village Cup quarter-final against Kent side Sibton Park this Sunday with a comprehensive 57-run victory over near neighbours Reed to lift the Keatley Cup.

Played at Royston’s Therfield Recreation Ground, the cup provides the shorter form of the game, with both sides having just 16 overs to achieve a match-winning total.

Having sneaked past the hosts by just seven runs in the previous round, Foxton, who are just two games from playing at Lord’s in the Village Cup final, won the toss and elected to bat.

The undoubted star of the show was opener David Fagan, carrying his bat for 106 not out. While he toiled at the crease for the entirety of his side’s innings, none of his team-mates managed to reach double figures.

Fellow opener Jason Coleman was dismissed quickly by Toby Finn for four, and while Fagan was finding his rhythm, No.3 Cei Sanderson was also removed, this time for three.

While his team-mates watched on, Fagan peppered the boundaries with nine sixes and eight fours including 27 off one Phil Lill over.

Paul Dean (3), Henry Hunter (1) and Tom Wilson (6) provided little assistance as Fagan continued to rip into the Reed attack, reaching his end total from just 55 balls.

Foxton’s 134 was more than achievable but a poor start left Reed in the mire straight away.

Reduced to 15-2 following the removal of Rob Lankester (5) and Lill (1), skipper James Heslam momentarily steadied the ship with a knock of 10, before succumbing to the bowling of Simon Gardner.

Sean Tidey (25) and Jack Caine (14) showed some resistance before Matt Treuberg mopped up the tail of Tim Tidey and Peter Tidey both for ducks.

With those wickets, the Foxton man finished with the impressive figures of 3-7 off 2.4 overs.

On behalf of Royston Cricket Club, chairman David May presented the Keating Cup trophy to Foxton skipper Coleman, while man of the match accolades unsurprisingly went to Fagan.

Fagan will need to replicate those sparkling figures if his side are to reach the last four of the Village Cup. In the previous round, they hammered West Suffolk outfit Worlington by 88 runs.

Should they beat Sibton, they will play either Roche Old Boys or Goatacres for a place in the final. First ball is due at 1pm.