Langleybury CC 190-5 (40 overs) Reed CC 193-5 (38 overs) Reed won by five wickets

REED made it through to the semi finals of the National Village Cup on Sunday after a five-wicket victory over Langleybury.

Reed captain James Heslam won the toss and elected to chase on what was a decent looking Reed wicket. The visitors started reasonably well but Reed weren’t letting them get away.

The game was well balanced with Langleybury 43-0 after 12 overs, when the impressive Lee Johnson (3-36) made the breakthrough as the dangerous Amin (32) fell going for one big shot too many, Ed Garrott taking an excellent catch at mid-off.

Johnson then took two more wickets in his next two overs and, supported by the reliable Graham Wilson who went for just 33 in his nine overs, they put the game firmly in the balance with the visitors 68-3 after 17 overs.

Number five, Channer (39), then joined opener R Oxley (72) and they took Langleybury to 150-3 after 33 overs. This was a good position for the visitors but they had still not got away completely and with an excellent last seven overs Reed managed to restrict them to just 190-5 from their 40 overs.

Spinners Garrott (1-43) and Greaves (1-38) bowled nicely and Jack Tidey produced an impressive last two overs.

In reply, Reed started slowly against the useful Langleybury openers who took the early wickets of Greaves (6) and Ward (8) leaving them on 30-2 after 11 overs.

However, this brought Smith to the crease and he and Heslam (38) went about improving the situation for the home side. They did just that and at 97-2 after 24 overs the platform had been set for a push for victory.

However the run-rate still had to be upped so it was unfortunate when Heslam fell for 38. Frenay went soon after for just five and when Sean Tidey was run out for a quick-fire nine the pressure was well and truly on Smith and the incoming Jack Tidey with the score 145-5 after 33 overs.

But, unlike Langelybury, Reed came to life in the latter stages thanks to 19-year-old Jack Tidey who produced a truly inspirational knock. He showed maturity beyond his years as he smashed 32* in five overs including two massive 6s which saw Reed to victory with his second six towering over long on.

The large home crowd erupted as Tidey leapt in joyous celebration with the hugely impressive Smith who anchored the innings superbly scoring an unbeaten 70 off 69 balls. Reed will face Eversholt away in the semi finals on Sunday, May 29.

The victory capped what was a good weekend for Reed Is as they returned from St Margaretsbury on Saturday with a good point-scoring draw.

After electing to bat Reed set off impressively with Liam Mcechnie (36) and James Heslam (97) putting on 84 for the first wicket. Karl Ward batting at No.3 replacing the injured Chris Jackson joined Heslam and batted sensibly as the pair took the score up to 171-2 before Ward fell for a well-made 31.

Reed then collapsed to 175-5 and it took a mature and exciting innings by 17-year-old wicketkeeper batsman Sean Tidey of 34* to see Reed to what looked a good score of 222-9 in 53 overs.

This looked an even better score when Lee Johnson (3-47), who produced an excellent opening spell, removed the dangerous Simon Tilbury for 23 after Reed had frustrated him well. Graham Wilson (1-46) also bowled tightly putting the home side under pressure.

Reed were then well in control of the game but unfortunately failed to take the regular wickets required to force the victory largely thanks to a very impressive 111* by Brown.

A few chances went down which could have made the difference as St Margretsbury never looked like collapsing to defeat but defiantly rallied to 201-6 after their 47 overs.