Reed travelled to fellow promoted Berkhamsted on Saturday still in search for their first league victory.
Reed captain James Heslam won the toss and decided to bat first on what appeared to be a pitch full of runs. Reed’s innings got off to a disastrous start when Baz Curtis was athletically caught at mid off without troubling the scorers. Curtis departure saw the in form Joe Curk arrive at the crease and with the help of James Heslam the pair put on 62 in 13 overs until James Heslam was adjudged LBW of the bowling of Janaway (3-76). Curk carried on with his expert batting performance and deservedly achieved his 3rd league half century of the season until shortly after he was caught behind for a sublime 60 which left Reed at 82 for 3 off 21 overs. A number of useful contributions from the middle order, Tom Fulk (30), Phil Frenay (17) and Simon Jackson (21) saw the score board tick over and a very useful 13 not out from Lee Johnson at the end saw Reed finish up on a very respectable 184 for 8 off their allotted 53 overs.
Berkhamsted reply got off to a disastrous start due mainly to fantastic bowling from Reed’s opening pair off Andy Young (3-25) and Lee Johnson (2-18), the pair’s pace and accuracy was too much for the Berkhampsted batsman and left them reeling at 50 for 5 after 18 overs. After the initial demolition of the Berkhamsted top order Joe Curk and Pete Tidey (2-8) took over the mantle and carried on causing problems for the Berkhampsted batsman. Only Berkahampsted captain Herring with a quick fire 17 and Janaway with a hard hitting 23 not out offered any resistance. Curk finished the Berkhampsted innings for 107 and finished with 3-30 and enabled Reed to bask in the glory of their first league victory of the season and saw them climb to a highly respectable 6th position in Herts league division 1.
