Reed slumped to an unlikely 53 run away defeat on Saturday as Botany Bay ended their unbeaten run in League cricket since June last year.

Reed still remain top of Division 3 despite the loss, 5 points clear of second placed Redbourn. Having won the toss on a damp wicket, Reed were confident of skittling the opposition cheaply. Opening bowler William Clarke (7-1-26-1) made an early breakthrough, but struggled to find his length bowling to J.Sherring (28).

It took a mammoth effort by Peter Tidey (26-9-64-5), to breakthrough thanks to some sharp wicketkeeping by Stuart Smith with 2 catches and a stumping. In conjunction with Richard Jerome (14&Mac247;4-30-2), Reed reduced the opposition to an achievable target, despite some aggressive strokeplay by M.Steele (25) and S.Hunt (34), which saw them claw back to 144 for 9 off their 53 overs. Reed’s response began in a disappointing manner as B.Rose (10-7-14-5) removed both Reed openers and the middle order cheaply.

With their backs against the wall, heavy reliance was placed on gritty innings by Stuart Smith (19) and Gary Bridge (26), who also played some scintillating strokes to all corners. However, D.Wilkinson (11-2-39-3) ended their rebellion as two LBW appeals saw the umpire&Mac226;s finger raised. The tail of Richard Johnson (12*), Michael Berks (6) and Peter Tidey (10) fought hard, but in vain, as the league-leaders capitulated for a meagre 91 and a paltry 4 points.

Despite the loss, Reed remained up-beat, as skipper Simon Jackson commented : “We still are top of the league, and we see this as a blip in our League crusade from which we can learn a lot. A loss, at some point, was inevitable, and we probably needed it to keep us motivated and hungry to continue”