ASTON Rowant’s dream of reaching a Lord’s final ended with a 74-run defeat away to Hertfordshire side Reed.

The Oxfordshire side must have fancied their chances of winning their semi-final clash, when they restricted the home side to 179-9.

But they could not cope with the strong Reed attack and slumped to 105 all out.

It was a heart-breaking result for Tim Morgan’s side and their 200 travelling supporters.

It was the second time had fallen one step short of reaching Lord’s.

But unlike the previous occasion in 1984, which went to the final over, the result was never in doubt once they had slumped to 73-7.

Rowant looked in control after inserting the hosts and reducing them to 88-5 after 27 overs.

The wickets were shared around, but Reed opener Richard Wharton and skipper Tom Greaves, both of whom made 48, added 44 for the sixth wicket.

Greaves hit five sixes off 36 balls as the home side rattled up 34 from the last 20 balls to set Rowant a target of 180.

Spinner Sasha Barras took 4-54, while seamer Dominic Whatman claimed 3-38 and Wes Morrick and Gordon Harris delivered tidy spells.

Rowant were soon struggling against the tight bowling of Toby Fynn and jack Tidey, and slipped to 18-3 after ten overs.

While Chris Watling, who scored 33 off 67 balls, was at the crease Rowant still had hopes of winning. But when he was seventh out, the result was a foregone conclusion.

After a few brave blows, Rowant were all out for 105 in the 33rd over.

chairman Paul Humphreys was philosophical after the defeat.

“We’re obviously disappointed, but we were well beaten on the day by the better side, especially on the bowling front,” he said.

“But we’ve done really well to reach the semi-final and can reflect proudly on that.”