REED S dream of a Lord s final was put on hold for another year, after James Heslam s side were dumped out of the npower National Village Cup by High Roding. Their impressive run came to an end on Sunday, with Essex area champions High Roding through to

REED'S dream of a Lord's final was put on hold for another year, after James Heslam's side were dumped out of the npower National Village Cup by High Roding.

Their impressive run came to an end on Sunday, with Essex area champions High Roding through to the last eight, following an 82-run victory.

Reed captain Heslam told The Crow: "We're obviously all very disappointed, but we gave it our best and we had a great run.

"The National Village Cup is a fantastic competition to be part of, and we can take a lot of satisfaction in reaching the last 16."

Electing to bat, High Roding were soon in trouble, with Andy Young's hostile opening burst helping limit them to 23 for 3, with Matt Hammond, Adam Holgate, and Travis Hussain making little impression.

The experienced Jack Buttleman and High Roding skipper Mel Hussain - brother of former Essex and England captain Nasser - steadied the ship.

But when Buttleman's wicket fell, the home side were precariously placed at 69 for 4.

But when Bertie Blackwell added his quick-fire 39 to Mel Hussain's 52, High Roding were soon on 150 for 6 with eight overs left to play.

Reed's hopes then took a further dent when Jeff Clarke (30) and Allan Fairlie-Clarke (46) began to find the boundary with ease, and as a result the visitors were left facing a testing 230.

Baz Curtis (19) and James Heslam (16) gave Reed a solid foundation, before Curtis went lbw, with Heslam following soon after.

Chris Jackson and Phil Frenay saw Reed to 95.

However, when they went, High Roding skipper Hussain, alongside Simon Sargent, began to expose their middle order.

In doing so, they both took three wickets with Reed slumping from 103 for 4 to 132 for 9.

Some tail-end resistance from Will Clarke and Pete Tidey did restore some respectability, but with too much to do, Reed's Village Cup hopes came to a halt and a disappointing 148 all out.

High Roding will now face Surrey area champions Valley End in the quarter-finals.

Heslam said: "It would have been nice to have got to the quarter-finals, which would have equalled the farthest the club has reached.

"On another day we could well have gone through, but High Roding deserved the win.

"They simply played the better cricket, and they showed that they are a very capable side, strong in batting, and confident with the ball.

"They put a very challenging total on the board, and it just proved too much for us.

"It has been a great experience for the club, and we'll be looking to give it another shot next season.

"We've got a young side who will have no doubt learned a lot from the experience, and added to the players who were ineligible this year, we'll come back a lot stronger."

On Saturday Reed resume Saracens Herts Division One action with a trip to second placed Knebworth Park.

Heslam said: "We can concentrate solely on the league now, and having picked up some important results over the past month, we'll be looking to push forward.

"The Village Cup has been a nice incentive, especially with the final being played at Lord's, but the league is our priority.

"We've been doing fairly well, and have to focus on the next couple of games and make sure we consolidate our position.

"The game with Knebworth Park will be tough, but I'm sure we will give a good account of ourselves."

Reed moved up to sixth place in Division One after gaining 18 points in an exciting draw with Hitchin on Saturday.

The hosts hit a respectable 228 for 6 from their 52 overs, with Heslam and Will Dobson crafting a brilliant 106 run partnership, as the skipper hit his sixth successive league half-century.

In reply, Hitchin were left on 191 for 8 off 48 overs, as Reed failed to take their final two wickets.