Reed 1st XI maintained their momentum on Saturday by trouncing local rivals Cottered by 9 wickets in Herts League division 3. Having won the toss and electing to bat, Cottered began well, reaching 31 for no wicket, but openers Clarke (3-19), and Berks (2-14) soon managed to tear through the top order. Combined with the sharp run out of N.Beer by Chris Jackson, Cottered were left floundering. Reed new-comer, Richard Jerome (1-8), slowed the scoring at one end, whilst Richard Johnson (1-6) and Ray Kingshott (2-0) made inroads at the other, leaving Cottered stranded on a woeful 56 all out in 41.3 overs.

Reed’s reply was typically aggressive, as their skipper, Simon Jackson (35*), began in particularly attacking style. Michael Curtis was unluckily run out with a direct hit from the boundary, but in combination with Chris Jackson (9*), the brother’s closed the innings comfortably in 14.3 overs.

This marks a second successive win for Reed’s 1st XI and 2nd XIs in their first two league games, placing them equal first in division 3 and 8 respectively. Simon Jackson, 1st XI captain said: “…it’s heartening to begin the club’s season in such a positive manner, which places us in a comfortable position for league promotion at both 1XI and 2XI. Combined with our recent successes in the National Village Cup, Reed have failed to lose a match at all levels this season!”