A century stand between Tom Thorpe and Rob Lankester put Reed in cruise control as they beat Letchworth by 7 wickets.
Coming together at 12-1, Thorpe (68) set off at run a ball while Lankester (54) was more circumspect. However, as the ball softened they upped the run rate hitting 15 boundaries and a six between them until the stand reached 115. Both perished to one heave too many, but by then the game was nearly done. Charlie Walters (22*) and Kallum Ward (9*) applied the finishing touches as Reed eased to 166-3.
On a batting track that proved to be true and firm, Lankester was in two minds whether to insert the opposition, but his gamble paid off as Jack Tidey (3-28) and Julien Fynn (1-29) soon had Letchworth at 22-3. Their scalps included the wickets of free-scoring Chahal and Bhatti. The innings then stuttered as Tom Greaves snaffled two wickets, both snapped up by Will Heslam at short mid-wicket. Indeed, if Greaves had managed to cling on to a sharp chance off his own bowling offered by Aussie, Fred McClure, the game might have been over much quicker. As it was McClure in a partnership of 60 with Albon gave the total respectability until Heslam had him trapped in front for 83 (half of his side’s runs). He then took two more quick wickets finishing with 3-16, including Sean Tidey’s third catch behind the stumps, and the belated introduction of Ollie Johnson soon completed the innings at 165. This wrapped up a fine all-round bowling performance on such a good wicket.
Next Saturday sees the visit of St Albans for a top of the table clash.