Reed went down heavily to Weston in the North Herts league on Sunday, despite a decent batting performance.

Winning the toss, Captain Archer chose to bat . Reed lost the early wicket of Blissett to bring in Marcus Martin but thereafter looked very comfortable. The Martin Brothers looked in good touch putting on 76 for the 2nd wicket before the stylish Fergus Martin was bowled by Pugh for 16. Matt Bowles then joined Marcus Martin at the crease, with Martin soon reaching his half century after a great innings. Martin showed some real class in dispatching balls to all parts. Young leg spinner Jack Stevens then got some reward for a good spell of bowling by removing Martin for 53.

Richard Johnson and Bowles then set about pushing the Reed score on from 103 for 3. Both used their good pace between the wickets to rotate the strike well, with Johnson also beginning to find his feet with some good boundaries. Johnson’s timing of the ball was sublime, as he began to score freely. The pair put on 59 for the 4th wicket, with Bowles going for 24 looking to up the anti. Karl Ward went soon after for a duck, but Johnson continued to score undeterred. Graham “bunker” Hazard joined Johnson for a cameo innings, including a huge six over the clubhouse, but he too went leaving Reed 190 for 6.

Rupert Martin then joined Johnson, both players hit boundaries in the final overs including another big six, this time from Martin (11 not out). Reed finished up on a score of 217 for 6, with the magnificent Johnson unbeaten on 68 after an innings that was a pleasure to behold.

Confident of victory, Reed set about bowling at Weston. Archer and Champion bowled brilliantly early on, but got no reward as Hitchin I’s player Pugh began to impose himself. Pugh was well supported by Braine, and together they played their way towards the Reed total, putting on 178 for the 1st wicket, that of Braine for a supporting knock off 44 off of the bowling of Archer.

Reed’s bowlers continued to run in and bowl well keeping the scoring rate down, but the class of Pugh shone through as he took Weston home with 2 overs to spare, finishing on 127 Not out.