Rob Willoughby completed a satisfactory all-round display by thumping an undefeated 40 to add to his earlier 2 catches as wicket-keeper when Reed overhauled their host’s modest 114 for 9. Roger Bowcock, (19), and Fergus Martin, (25), were the other significantly contributors to Reed’s reply as they lost only 5 wickets achieving their target. Paul Mason-Smith bowled venomously taking 4 of the wickets whilst conceding just 13 runs from 9 overs but to no avail.

Alan South had opened the innings for Little Hadham and top-scored with 30. Number 9 Damian O’Malley chipped-in with 23, but although most of the middle-order got stars, no one else could reach double figures. Reed’s fielders had been excellent in their catching skills and they also gave good ground support to the bowlers. David Hill, (0 for 11), was pacey yet unlucky not to gain a wicket. Importantly, it was Neal Haslam, (2 for 16 from 8 overs), who did the early damage in a very accurate spell. Marcus Baker, (1 for 14), snared the dangerous Mason-Smith for a duck and Fergus Martin took 1 for 9. Slower bowlers, Paul Garrott, (2 for 19), and Ed Garrott, (0 for 5 from 6 overs), restricted the tail-enders, but best figures of the day went to Jason Pallett who imparted spin both ways bamboozling 3 of the home’s batsmen whilst conceding 35 runs.