Reed got back to winning ways on Saturday with a convincing home victory against 3rd placed Preston. The victory pushes them back up to 6th place in Herts League Division 2.

The success was largely thanks to an excellent bowling and fielding performance that typified the commitment of the players to getting back to form despite the continued absence of skipper Simon Jackson. Vice-Captain Chris Jackson lost the toss and having elected to bat the visitors looked on course for a decent score racing to 30-0 in no time.

However, Andrew Emms began to find his line and took two wickets in two balls to setback the Preston innings. With the ever-dependable Peter Tidey (18-2-32) producing his reliable quality of in-swing bowling at the other end keeping the pressure on, Emms continued to make inroads as the visitors lost their wickets at regular intervals. When Emms eventually finished his fantastic spell of (15-6-51), Richard Jerome (3-2-7) took over and along with Tidey wrapped up the innings for Reed seeing Preston all out for 96.

Emms at one stage was on course for all 10 wickets taking the first 6 to fall. There were several good catches taken, notably from Michael Robertson and Ben Bowles, in a superb all round team effort.

In reply Reed got off to a shaky start losing the dangerous Curtis for just 4. However, there was a welcome return to form for Chris Jackson(29) and James Heslam(45) as they compiled a partnership of 56 to leave Reed on course at 60-1.

When Jackson departed attempting to go over the top, Fulk(4) questionably adjudged to be caught behind, quickly followed him to the pavillion. However, with Heslam surviving until only 6 were required for victory, Reed were home and dry and it was left to Bowles (4 not out) and Richard Jerome (6 Not Out) to finish things off.