Reed won the toss and batted, but were put on the back foot when Watts and Fulk went cheaply leaving them 17-2. Steve Dunn promoted up the order to stem the rot combined well with Alan Ward to take the score past 60 before a hamstring pull forced Dunn to retire hurt for 19.

Skipper Heslam then joined the by now rampant Ward at the crease and the pair put real impetus behind the Reed innings scoring at will in all areas. Ward eventually fell for 70 with the score 139-3 whilst Heslam continued until unluckily caught on a rebound at slip for 40 with the score at 164.

A mini collapse to 166-6 saw Reed falter until Jim Allsopp 22*, Jason Archer 10 and Ian Roberts 5* saw the visitors to maximum batting bonus points at 204 for 7 in their 53 overs.

Hatfield made a steady start and reached 100-2 seeming well placed to challenge the Reed total, but thight bowling from Roberts 3-46 and Wholley 2-31 built the pressure and the introduction of ‘Golden Arm’ Jason Archer saw Hatfield innings really crumble.

Good ground fielding and sharp catching saw Reed seize the initiative but Hatfield hung on to earn a draw at 166-9. Reed took 19 points and remain in third place in their division.