Local cricket team secure memorable league and cup double

WEEKENDS don’t usually get much better than the one just enjoyed by Reed Cricket Club.

On Saturday the first team secured the Saracens Herts League Division Two title with a 119-run victory away at Dunstable, before winning the prestigious Yorkshire Tea National Village Cup final at Lord’s on Sunday with a six-wicket triumph over Woodhouse Grange in front of 2,000 spectators.

Tom Greaves was the hero of the day at the home of cricket, leading Reed’s pursuit of 185 with a blistering 51 from 49 balls that included seven fours. Earlier he had claimed 2-22 in nine probing overs of off-spin, including a wicket first ball.

Though Greaves was bowled by Andrew Horner one ball after bringing up his 50 to give Woodhouse a chance, Chris Jackson made 37 and Stuart Smith 22 not out, before Mitchell Cooper struck the winning runs with 16 balls remaining.

The result sparked delirious scenes among the massed ranks of Reed supporters who had made the journey down from Hertfordshire and were rewarded with idyllic conditions on their big day out.

Reed captain James Heslam won the toss and elected to field first, but openers Mike Hattee and Nick Hadfield started strongly for Woodhouse, scoring 52 from the first 10 overs before Lee Johnson had Hattee caught behind for the day’s first breakthrough.

55-1 soon became 60-2 when Greaves had Chris Bilton caught at slip with his first delivery in a Lord’s final, but from a precarious 109-6, Tom Young and Chris Suddaby, with a combined age of 39, hauled their team to respectability with 42 and 32 respectively.

In reply, Reed were quickly on course adding 42 for the first wicket before Tom Quinn struck with an excellent caught-and-bowled catch removing Heslam, who had been looking dangerous on 28. Greaves’ hard hitting ensured they did not relinquish their advantage.

Darren Gough said afterwards: “Playing at Lord’s is every cricketer’s dream. The Yorkshire Tea Village Cup final was an exceptional day, involving two totally committed teams, played out in front of 2,000 supporters at the Home of Cricket. Huge congratulations go to winners Read CC.”

*Stay tuned to this website for more reaction to Reed’s fantastic double-winning weekend, which will all be included in this week’s Royston Crow newspaper