After the torrential rain of the previous evening Reed were put into bat on a damp wicket offering the seamers some assistance. However, at 26-0 Fulk and Baker had made a steady start nut things were soon to change.

A collapse to 58-5 followed leaving the skipper John Heslam and Jason Archer a huge task to get Reed back into the match. After a period of consolidation Reed pushed on until Heslam was dismissed caught for 34. Archer continued to hold the innings together and was well supported by Karl Ward 21 and latterly Ian Roberts 21 not out. Archer ultimately reached his 50 as Reed did well to total 186-8 and achieved 8 batting bonus points.

By now the wicket had dried and eased considerably and Hitchin got off to a steady reply. Mills and Collins putting on 65 for the first wicket. Reed fought their way back into the match with four quick wickets thanks mainly to Ian Roberts 4-49 who was unlucky not to have even more victims. However, Hitchin skipper Wooley kept the innings together with a fine 43 not out to steer his team home by five wickets with 3 overs to spare.