Reed century is perfect goodbye (From Stroud News and Journal)

Reed century is perfect goodbye

FROCESTER finished the season in style with a 48 run victory over Colwall on Sunday, to finish runners-up in the division, perhaps rather disappointing after the dramatic start to the season.

This match also marked Simon Reed's final game for Frocester, having travelled from London each weekend for the last three years.

Captain for the day, he finished his Frocester career in style with a superb 134 not out, that contained five sixes and 12 fours.

Reed said: "It all went quite well but I am more pleased with the result. The season has finished on a high all round. It's been a huge wrench to leave Frocester."

Derek Tate smashed a quick 30 before he was caught at fine leg for the second week running. Richard Evans continued his run of form at the end of the season with a fine innings of 33, full of application and concentration.

There was a slump in the middle order but throughout his innings Reed continued to dominate the bowling and the scoring rate never slowed before five per over.

Then Mark McShane, in a welcome return to form, gave Reed excellent support with a hard hit innings of 40. As a result, the Frocester total rose to 286-6 at the end of 50 overs.

McShane snapped up an early wicket, but Wolfendale (63) and Williams (56) kept Colwall in the hunt with some stylish batting.

However, the entry of Derek Tate into the attack changed the complexion of the match. First he stemmed the flow of runs and then picked up wickets to knock the stuffing out of the Colwall innings.

Reed was full of praise for Tate: "He's also finished on a high with six wickets and a few runs. He is also the top wicket taker for the clun this season."

After dismissing both Wolfendale and Williams, he took the wickets of four more batsmen to finish with the excellent figures of 6-49. Eric Woodmason wrapped up the tail with figures of 2-19.

Simon Reed has played for the club since he was nine years old, rising through the youth teams, to become a quality player who played in the Village Knock-Out final in 1993 and went on to captain the club in distinguished fashion. He will be sorely missed.

On Saturday Wotton Bassett finished on 262-8 and Frocester were only able to reply with 217.

Derek Tait was the star man with 75 for a weakened Frocester side without Dave Whincup and both Evans'.