Whilst Reed’s First XI were engaged in National Village Cup duty, the Second XI fulfilled the North Herts League fixture away to a below strength Welwyn team. Electing to bat, the home skipper appeared to have made the wrong decision as 3 wickets fell to the pacey Jim Allsopp who ended his 8-over spell with figures of 3 for 21.

However, Buck, (27), and Watkins, (39), repaired some of the damage and the total grew. Karl Ward, (2 for 19), was brought into the attack and he shifted the balance back in Reed’s favour and meanwhile Clive Collins bowled a miserly spell by conceding a mere 11 runs from his 8 overs.

Then in just 4 overs, Marcus Martin bowled an accurate and confidence-boosting spell, taking 5 wickets for just 4 runs and blasted the Welwyn tail away. In this match, Reed’s batting line-up was a competent one on paper and the target of 87 seemed not a taxing one. The winning runs were achieved by midway through the 10th over as opening pair, Ed Blissett, (31 not out), and Massie Naeem helped themselves to an aggregate of 15 boundaries between them.

Naeem reached a personal half-century as the two openers raced along at almost 9 per over against Welwyn’s youngish attack. Welwyn, 86 all out in 38.1 overs (J Allsopp 3-21; M Martin 5-4; KJ Ward 2-19) lost to Reed Second XI, 87 for 0 in 9.4 overs (M Naeem 50 n.o.; E Blissett 31 n.o.) by 10 wickets.