Much credit for the win must go to Matt Giblin who scored 25 not out at no.11 and took 4 top order wickets.
Reed’s innings set off at a pace with Tom Thorpe (46) contributing the majority of the 59 run opening partnership. Wickets then fell regularly with only Max Sanderson (21) and Tom Greaves (15) troubling the scorers. At 109-7 a quick defeat seemed on the cards, but James Heslam (23) and Jack Tidey (11) dug in to give the score some semblance of respectability. Both fell at 146 leaving the hosts in the driving seat, but Lee Johnson (15) and Giblin swung the game round in a thrilling 41 run partnership, Giblin in particular caught the eye with the second top score of 25 including 3 boundaries and a maximum. A total of 187 looked to be par on that surface.
However, Abbots Langley could not handle a pumped-up Giblin who ripped out four of the first five wickets for 20 runs, beating the bat with his movement off the wicket. A stunning one-handed diving catch by Thorpe on the third ball set the mood music. With Greaves bowling the opener, the hosts looked dead and buried with 35-5 on the scoreboard. Kohli 24 (not that one} and Sills (36) showed some resistance until 15-year-old Josh Heslam trapped the former – the first of many more wickets in the future, leaving Greaves (2-19), Johnson (1-27} and Will Heslam (2-10) to mop up the tail. Abbots Langley 129 all out.
Given that Reed were without five regular first team players and Jack Tidey unable to bowl through injury, it was a good result.