Reed catapulted themselves to 13th in Hertfordshire League Division 2 on Saturday, as they confidently overcame Hoddesdon IIs by 30 runs to register their first League win of the season. Following 2 weeks of cricket, where Reed have shown themselves to be the stronger of the two sides, the game provided the local lads with their first opportunity the crack open the champagne and open their winning account in the new league.

Despite missing opening batsman, Tom Fulk, and main strike bowlers, Michael Berks and Peter Tidey, Reed elected to bat notching 161-8 in their 53 overs. James Heslam starred early on with a sparkling 46, before being unluckily adjudged LBW to Smith (6-2-14-2). Yet it was A. McGelligott who proved to be Hoddesdon’s driving force as he plundered 6 wickets for 66 runs bowling the entire innings up the hill. Richard Jerome also registered 34* in a patient knock, as Chris Shorrock (16) and skipper Simon Jackson (18) supported him ably.

With 161 on the board, Reed needed some tight bowling, and potential early inroads. Taking the old ball, Will Clarke (12-2-40-2) found some swing both ways, as he opened the innings with Richard Jerome (20.1-6-37-6). Between them they reduced Hoddesdon to 14 for 3 off 7 overs, but when J.Pinkett (18) and D.Smith (27) offered some resistance, the score began to look a little more robust. However, with Clarke rearranging Pinkett’s stumps in his eight over, Hoddesdon looked again to be struggling, especially after Smith was run out shortly afterwards.

Yet J.Curtis (50) soon placed the visitors back on track for victory with some exquisite boundaries, and strokes of luck as lofted drives, accurately chipped between fielders, paid dividends. However, with Jerome’s canny control of pace and flight, he fell LBW to the quicker delivery and the tail following suit as they crumbled to 131 all out off 41.1 overs awarding Reed a full 30 points.