17-year-old CHARLEY REED hit his second West of England Premier League (WEPL) century of the season for the 1st XI in yesterday's (18th August) narrow defeat by title chasing Cheltenham to continue a rich seam of recent form and add to his Sunday League century at Station Road earlier in the season.

Charley Reed has now scored 110 three times this season. His not out innings lasting 137 balls contained 12 x 4s, 1 x 6 and a number of inventive shots that included a perfectly executed reverse sweep and attempted 'ramp' shots (more practice required there Charley!), as well as his trademark drives through the leg side and a powerful hook shot into the road.

Corsham's opening pair of Reed and Tom Smith had to weather an early onslaught from the opening Cheltenham bowling attack of Liam Walker and Luke Sellers on a damp pitch offering some assistance to the seam bowlers.

Sellers first over was eventful with a no ball, three wides, a six off the free hit, and the wicket of Tom Smith with an unplayable ball that took the top of the off stump.

Reed was joined by Sam Collier, and the two gradually took the initiative away from the Cheltenham bowlers putting on 125 for the second wicket in 27 overs before Collier offered a simple catch to Nick Evans two runs short of a deserved half century. Corsham's middle order of Tom Abbott, Adam Mitchell and Andy Davis offered little resistance while Reed powered on. Martin Roberts entered the fray at the fall of the fifth wicket with the score on 151, and the pair took the score to 181 before Roberts was bowled by leg-spinner, Josh Breed for 11.

After a watchful couple of overs, veteran Richard Foley started to match Reed's scoring taking three consecutive boundaries off the returning Sellers. Reed's century came up in the 48th over off 129 balls to rapturous applause from the Clubhouse, and with Foley scoring a very useful 24 ball 27 runs, Corsham's innings finished at 245 for 6.

Martin Roberts and Jonathan Parker opened the bowling with three maidens to Cheltenham's opening pair of Noah Cooper Llanes and Kieran Smith. The partnership lasted until the fourteenth over when both were dismissed for 19 during Tom Foley's opening over with the score on 42. Nick Evans and Josh Breed consolidated, putting on 67 in fourteen overs before Evans departed to a catch by Jon Parker in Richard Foley's second over. Breed also fell to Rich Foley's offspin, being stumped by Charley Reed.

In contrast to Corsham's middle order earlier, Cheltenham's middle order of James Schofield (25), Johnny Griffiths (27), and George Pritchard (33) kept the visitors in the hunt, but it was a devastating onslaught by Cheltenham's captain, Will Simmons, which turned the match Cheltenham's way with sixteen runs off Jon Parker, and three huge sixes off Tom Smith.

Despite late wickets from Tom Foley, and a comical run out, Cheltenham reached the winning post with nine wickets down and two balls remaining.

Tom Foley took 4 for 38 while Richard took 3 for 38 in their ten overs.