Reed lost the toss and were asked to field, but they'd have been the happier side by the end of the innings. With stand in skipper Dave "Disco" Saunders marshalling the troops and vice-captain L Bowman setting a sharp field, Reed's attack went to work and bowled the hosts out for 130 in 29.5 overs.

The new ball pairing of S Dawson and G Wood proved a potent threat. S Dawson bowled with genuine pace, striking twice in a miserly spell of 2-18 from four overs, while G Wood picked up a wicket and kept the pressure on from the other end.

Once the spinners came on, Reed took full control. Z Rouse, fresh from eight wickets across his last two matches, continued his golden run with 3-30 from eight overs, while M Yates was equally impressive at the other end with 2-19 from six, the pair strangling the scoring rate and picking up wickets at regular intervals. J Fry mopped up the tail with 2-19, including two maidens, to finish the innings off.

The bowlers were backed up superbly in the field. The Veteran Disco Dave held a good catch to remove the Old Elizabethans captain, and there was excellent work in the field from W Mansfield, E Heslam, Z Rouse and M Yates as Reed kept the standard high throughout, with the hosts collapsing from 88-5 to 130 all out.

The chase of 131 was never straightforward, but Reed went about it with patience and composure. L Bowman anchored the innings with a gritty 34 from 80 balls, blunting the new ball and giving the innings its backbone.

When Bowman fell in the 32nd over , it was A Nash who took charge, bringing Reed home with a controlled unbeaten 43 from 75 balls, laced with seven boundaries. He paced the chase perfectly, and with S Dawson (6*) alongside him, Reed crossed the line at 133-5 in the 35th over to seal a five-wicket win and a full haul of 30 points.

A superb team performance against the league leaders keeps the 4s firmly in the hunt for promotion.

Match report by Jon Fry