Reed Village Cup tie is huge, says Heslam

REED captain James Heslam says Sunday's National Village Cup tie is "huge".

Heslam's side entertain Bledlow Village of Buckinghamshire in the last 32, (2pm) after last week's five-wicket win against Eversholt in the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire area final.

Heslam told The Crow: "Having reached this stage of the competition is fantastic. We're playing at home and it would be great to get a big crowd down and make the home support an advantage."

If successful, Reed will be one step closer to a dream final at Lord's.

"We would love to progress further and keep our Lord's dream alive, especially for all those members who have put so much time and effort into running this club year-on- year," said Heslam.

Reed will be hoping to go one better, after being knocked out at this stage in 2006. In 1988, the club reached the quarter-finals.

Heslam said: "We've got some of the players from our previous cup runs coming down, and it will be great to see them.

"It's an exciting week for the club, with the final of the Keatley Cup too. "

On Sunday Reed warmed up for their National Village Cup clash with a four-wicket win at Broxbourne-based Titanic CC.

Mitchell Cooper, Jack Tidey and Fergus Martin all bowled excellently as the hosts were all out for 202 from 37.2 overs.

In reply, Tom Greaves (24) and Martin (23) laid the early foundation, before stand-in skipper Phil Frenay went about making a brilliant 79.

Blissett, Hazard, and Cooper (32 not out) added to the tally, before Rob Willoughby (14 not out) saw Reed home with a 6 and a 4 with 12 balls to spare.

In a reversal of fortunes, Reed's Sunday seconds slipped to a four-wicket defeat.

Reed looked to have set opponents Bengeo a challenging total, with Julian Flynn (47), Peter Baker (31), and Alex West (33) seeing them to 210.

However, Bengeo's Walker (45) and Mudd (71 not out) soon had the visitors on the road, and they got home with four wickets to spare.