Reed kicked off their mid-week Keatley Cup campaign on Wednesday as they were drawn in the first round against Melbourn at home.

Continuing their fine form, Reed won by 7 wickets thanks to some tight bowling and aggressive batting, typically similar to their league and National Village Cup performances.

Despite losing the toss, Reed managed to peg back the Melbourn XI to 84 for 9 off their 15 eight ball overs. Richard Johnson (3-0-15-1) made an early breakthrough, but it was Chris Jackson (3-0-11-4) and Richard Robertson (3-0-17-3) who did the damage as they tore through the order, with Jackson capturing dangerman R.Cooper (27) LBW to begin the succession of wickets.

Reed’s strong reply ensured that the match was ended in 11.2 overs thanks to some intelligent batting by Tom Fulk (29) and Chris Jackson (35*) who saw off the pick of the Melbourn bowlers, Peter Flack, who bowled 2 maidens in his 3 over spell despite being unsuccessful. Reed’s second round will be against Aspenden Standon & Puckeridge in the course of the next 2 weeks