Reed won the toss and chose to bat on what proved to be a lively wicket. After the early loss of Baker, Alan Ward took the attack to the Hoddesdon bowlers striking 12 fours in a fine innings of 59 before he departed caught with the score on 85.

Skipper John Heslam addopted a similar policy and in a powerful innings of 62 he registered 11 fours. Paul Watts contributed a steady 28, but after his departure only Bowles, 18 provided serious support to Heslam.

Reed passed the 200 mark to register maximum batting points and Jason Archer, 12 provided a cameo innings seeing Reed to 218 all out.

After a wayard start the Reed bowlers got back in the groove once again and supported by solid fielding on a difficult outfield, Jason Archer and Richard Robertson soon had Hoddesdon under pressure. From 71-5, Hoddedon staged something of a recovery led by Curtis 57, but with Archer again proving a match winner with 5-52, Hoddesdon slumped to 159 all out.

Jim Allsop, 2-31 returned to clean up the tail, Reed’s 6th win in 8 league matches sees them remain unbeaten and still well clear at the top of their league table.