Bowler dismantles Shenley Village

SHL Division Two

Shenley Village 153 (48 overs)

Reed 154-6 (38.5 overs)

Reed won by four wickets

A FANTASTIC seven-wicket haul from Lee Johnson paved the way for Reed’s four-wicket win over Shenley Village, and maintained their push for promotion.

Rain meant a delayed start but Reed came out of the blocks quickly. Opening bowlers Johnson and Jack Tidey (10-4-24-2) yet again took early wickets leaving Shenley struggling at 15-3. A partnership started to build before Tom Greaves (14-2-45-1) had Stanley caught for 16.

After good spells from Tom Walsingham and Mitchell Cooper, Johnson returned from the other end to rip through the middle and lower order. He accounted for dangermen R Hammill (56) and M Evans (31). Johnson then took four more wickets in a fine display of patient bowling. He ended with figures of (16-2-44-7). This left Reed needing 154 to win in 44 overs.

With the weather still looming Reed openers James and Will Heslam knew that they had to build a solid platform. They did just this and took advantage of some very average bowlers who were being hit for five and seven an over respectively. Hammill, who starred with the bat for Shenley, broke the partnership with the score on 63 when he had Will Heslam caught for 28.

Skipper James Heslam kicked on but lost Greaves (7) leaving Reed 89-2. Heslam passed 50 and was finding the boundary regularly before being bowled by the impressive Nikhil Borkatria who took 4- 43. Heslam made 63 including 13 fours.

Sean Tidey (20) and Marcus Martin (16) both contributed to the Reed reply and guided Reed to within 12 of victory. Mitchell Cooper (12*) and Phil Frenay (3*) saw Reed home in 38.5 overs.

Reed now sit second in the table and travel to Abbotts Langley on Saturday before the small matter of the National Village Cup semi-final on Sunday away at Goatacre (Wiltshire).

Reed IIs lost by seven wickets to Bentley Heath in SHL Division Six, while the IIIs won by five wickets against Watton-at-Stone IIs and the IVs beat Chorleywood IVs by 102 runs.