30 More Points, One Giant Step Towards the Title!

Reed CC 4th XI 211-2 beat Bushey CC 4th XI 207 all out by 8 wickets

The Reed CC 4th XI took another huge step towards securing the Division 15 title on Saturday with an excellent eight-wicket victory over Bushey CC at Freman College. With just two wins now required from their remaining fixtures to guarantee the league title, the 4s are beginning to see the finishing line!

With only 10 players available this week, Reed knew they would have to work exceptionally hard in the field, and they certainly did that. After winning the toss and electing to field, the Reed bowlers and fielders dug deep, showing tremendous commitment and energy to restrict Bushey to 207 all out from 39.4 overs.

The star of the show was undoubtedly 13-year-old Joshua England, who produced a stunning performance with both bat and ball. Josh claimed his first ever five-wicket haul in senior cricket, finishing with remarkable figures of 5-32 from his eight overs. He accounted for five of Bushey's wickets, including their dangerous top scorer Umesh Barfiwala, who had made 81.

Josh's five-wicket haul was backed up by Simon England, who continued his excellent season with 3-27 from 7.4 overs, while Scott Nash chipped in with 1-22 from eight overs, including an impressive three maidens. Eddie Heslam also took a wicket as the Reed attack gradually squeezed the life out of the Bushey innings.

The fielding effort was just as important. With only 10 players, every run saved and every opportunity taken mattered, and Reed's players showed the determination needed to keep Bushey to a score that gave them something to chase.

And chase it they did!

After losing both openers with just 24 on the board, Reed could easily have been under pressure. Instead, Scott Nash and Joshua England produced an extraordinary unbeaten partnership of 187, completely turning the game around. Scott was in magnificent form, smashing an unbeaten 105 from just 76 balls, including 16 fours and a six.

At the other end, 13-year-old Josh showed remarkable maturity beyond his years. Having already taken his first senior five-wicket haul with the ball, he went on to score his first senior 50, finishing unbeaten on 56 from 95 balls, including nine fours.

For Josh, it was a truly memorable day — his first senior five-for, his first senior half-century and a match-winning 187-run partnership with Scott Nash. To produce that performance at just 13 years old is a fantastic achievement.

Reed eventually reached 211-2 from just 33.5 overs, completing a comprehensive victory with plenty of overs to spare.

There were plenty of outstanding individual performances, but this was ultimately another example of what makes this Reed 4th XI side so successful. Despite being a player short, the team worked incredibly hard in the field, supported each other and then showed their batting strength to chase down the target in style.

The finish line is firmly in sight — and if Saturday's performance is anything to go by, the 4s are determined to get there in style!