Reed 2s travelled to the picturesque ground of Bayford & Hertford on Saturday looking to maintain their impressive start to the 2026 season. Skipper Matt Bowles once again lost the toss and his side were invited to field on a scorching hot day in East Herts.

Reed were rampant from the off with Josh Heslam wasting no time ripping into the Bayford top order as he collected 5 scalps in a scintillating opening spell, on his way to figures of 8-0-50-5. Heslam was ably supported by Karl Ward (10-1-45-3) who’s marathon 10 over stint in the heat also yielded significant reward. Reed reducing the hosts to 30-8 .

However Thilakarathna (27) and in particular Jeyaraj (72) managed to stem the bleeding for Bayford, before launching a counter punch as the heat began to make the visiting side toil. Reed continued creating chances but some careless fielding began to cost them as the home side recovered to 145 all out, with skipper Bowles (5.4-0-24-2) wrapping the innings up.

The Reed reply got off to a shaky start as Frenay (0) departed early. Stan Cooper (13) looked in fine form before being adjudged caught behind and then when James Heslam (11) nicked to slip Reed were wobbling on 37-3.

Chris Jackson continued his imperious early season form, anchoring the Reed innings as he and Rhodri Hughes (14) steadied the ship adding 45 runs before Hughes was the first of a number of contentious LBW decisions. When Josh Heslam (4) was caught, before Jon Fry (1) and Mike Robertson (4) were then victims of interesting LBW calls, the game was somewhat in the balance at 111-7.

Jackson continued to be positive with his stroke play, aided by Karl Ward (15 Not Out) the pair edge Reed towards the total. Jackson (67 Not Out) knockinb off the winning runs with overs to spare to give Reed the 30 points.