A top class team performance on Saturday saw Reed 1st XI romp to their first league victory of the season in the Saracen’s Herts League Divsions 4. Chorleywood II’s drubbing came with 20 overs to spare as Reed cruised to a crushing 10 wicket win.

On a batting friendly wicket, Clarke and Berks reduced Chorleywood to 19 for 3 with early break-throughs, but Fox almost spoilt the party, in his first game of the season for the opposition, hammering a quickfire 54. Yet persistent and calculating fast-bowling by Clarke saw him outwit the dangerman letting Reed back into the game.

Berks re-found his rhythm during his second spell removing the middle order with ease, aided by 2 superb diving catches by wicket-keeper Stuart Smith, ending the game with figures of 3-58 off 12 overs. A tailend revolt by Chorleywood batsmen D.Sanchez and Loft saw them compile a semi-respectable total of 162 until Clarke, blasting back into the attack managed to remove them to end the innings with 5-41 off 18.4 overs.

Reed were confident in sealing the victory as a weary and confidence-drained Chorleywood failed to bowl a consistent length. Reed’s batsmen could rest their feet whilst Curtis smashed a chanceless 69* in partnership with James Heslam’s bludgeoning 76*. In an innings marked by some faultless boundary shots, Chorleywood battled until the end in the field, but fell victim to a beligerent bowling and batting performance by Reed, allowing them to prepare for their forthcoming fixture against Totteridge brimming with confidence.