Sunday saw Reed play Weston in the North Herts League at home, but it was the visitors who left disappointed as they slumped to an 8 wicket loss at the hands of a very convincing Reed performance.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Weston built an early platform, before Johnson (8-2-26-2) removed Cracknell (8) with the score of 8. His subsequent removal of Richards (12) left the visitors on 40 for 2. The bowling of Peter Tidey was restricted at the other end as he limped off with a torn groin muscle during his early spell, but he managed to return later to complete the innings. Chris Jackson (8-3-22-0) bowled with control and poise for no reward, but it was Will Clarke (8-3-27-2) who managed to make the inroads in his first bowling spell for 10 months. He snared McKean with a low caught and bowled for 12, and followed with the wicket of Kyle for a golden duck thanks to a tremendous slip catch by Baz Curtis. Clarke was unlucky not to pick up two further wickets thanks to some sloppy fielding by the home team, but his bowling hopefully proved promising for the remainder of Reed?s Saracen?s league season..

When Clarke’s spell ended, skipper Jason Archer (6-2-20-1) assumed the mantle bowling in unison with Peter Tidey (who bowled from a short run). His injury failed to halt him as the Reed icon battled to pick up 4 late wickets for 16 runs, partially thanks to stunning catches by James Heslam and Chris Jackson. The tail failed to make many runs, and it just took a straight delivery by Baz Curtis (2.3-1-5-1) to wrap up the innings for 128.

Reed’s reply began aggressively as Stuart Smith smashed a succession of boundaries on his way to an imperious 37, before Peckham (8-2-27-1) managed to strike his middle stump with an off cutter. Tom Fulk (41) managed to find some fluency at this point as he stroked the ball with confidence to all parts of the ground. Reed looked to be sailing until he tickled a fine edge to the wicketkeeper, his second such dismissal in the weekend. This left Marcus Martin (23*) and Will Clarke (16*) to anchor the rest of the innings and reach Weston’s target in 27.2 overs.