Reed 2nd XI climb up the table continued to gather momentum on Saturday as they romped to victory away at Old Finchleians IIs.

Captain Jason Archer won the toss and decided to bat in the hot conditions, and on what looked to be a decent track. Debutant 15 year old Fergus Martin and Reed Veteran Ben Bowles opened the batting, and straight away got into their stride with some positive stroke play. Martin rarely looked troubled by the Finchleians attack and with Bowles looking in good touch at the other end, the pair put on 50 for the first wicket before Jorey had Martin well caught in the covers for a good 20. Matt Bowles then joined brother Ben in the middle with Ben Bowles continuing to play some delightful shots taking him to 32, before he chased a wide one and nicked a ball to slips leaving Reed 63 for 2.

In form Ian Fulk, fresh from his unbeaten century the week before joined Matt Bowles and both began to show their form of previous weeks. Bowles got out of the traps quickly with some powerful straight drives, and Fulk gave the cover boundary a good thumping as they took the score beyond 100. Matt Bowles soon reached his 50 with some quality shots, but eventually holed out in the deep on 51. John Heslam then stepped up to the plate, and in unison with Fulk took the Finchleians attack apart, Heslam in particular progressing the Reed score quickly. Fulk again batted sublimely, and once he reached his fifty he pushed on and he and Heslam put on nearly 100 for the 4th wicket. Fulk?s timing was a joy to behold as he moved towards another century with Reed’s total beginning to look menacing. Heslam could not quite make his half century, being caught after a superb knock of 48.

With overs running out, captain Archer decided to declare with Reed on 253 for 4 off of 50 overs. Fulk remaining unbeaten on 89 Not Out after another scintillating innings.

Reed opened up the bowling with Ian Roberts and Rupert Martin, and despite some good early bowling Old Finchleians got off to a decent start, with no wickets going down in the early overs. Finchleians captain Crispin seemed keen to make a go of things and began to play some attacking strokes.

Reed then got an unexpected breakthrough when Matt Bowles took a stunning one handed catch off of the bowling of Rupert Martin to remove Crispin for 14. Roberts then had Smith caught behind well by keeper Richard Poole. Reed had Finchleians 27 for 2, and after Martin took his second wicket to remove Sheorman and Roberts too got his pair by again finding an edge through to the keeper, the Jason Archer show began. Archer took 3 wickets in quick succession, bowling a clever mix of swing, bouncers and slower balls. Reed’s good bowling meant Old Finchleians looked down and out at 69 for 8.

Finchleians number 3 batsman Merryweather remained however, and along with Kiwi pace bowler Jorey began to steady the ship. The pair decided attack was the best form of defence and began to find the boundaries regularly. Karl Ward eventually bowled Merryweather for 57 and then quickly removed Sawyer. Despite more lusty blows from Jorey (41 Not Out) Reed eventually got the final wicket of Jackson, again off of the bowling of Ward. This wrapped up the Old Finchleians innings at 147 all out with 12 overs to spare allowing Reed maximum points in their push for promotion.