After the dramatic weather of 24hrs earlier, all of which thankfully bypassed the Reed ground, this top of the table clash took place on a fine evening on a good wicket and fast outfield.
Hertford won the toss and chose to bat but Reeds opening bowlers of Ollie Benham 4 overs 2 -11 and Will Heslam 4 overs 0 -15, both bowled well and, on this occasion, with good discipline. Benham was particularly menacing and took the early wickets of Manning 2 and Wilkinson 8. A needless run out added to the Hertford difficulties and when Luke Cox took a wicket with his first ball Hertford were struggling at 26 – 4 after 8.1 overs. Ray then put some impetus into the Hertford innings with some hard hit shots but when he struck Deville powerfully to deep mid wicket the catch was gleefully accepted by Benham and Ray departed for 23 with the score at 58 – 5. Reeds groundfielding was generally good and well supported by the usual solid display by Sean Tidey behind the stumps. Lewis Fitzgerald 4 overs 0-14 bowled an excellent if rather unlucky spell, whilst good wicket taking contributions came from Luke Cox 4 overs 2-30 and Sam Deville 4 overs 3-29. Gaitens 14 and Mitchell 13 made useful contributions for the visitors aided by another generous contribution of Reed extras (30). Lashwood scored 8 late on as Hertford just made it past 100 finishing their 20 overs on 101 – 8.
In reply Reed got off to a flying start with 25 coming off the first 2 overs. However in the 3rd over Benham fell bowled by Holmes for 16 but that was as good as it got for Hertford as Will Heslam played a controlled and sensible innings ably assisted at the other end by Sam Deville. Hertfords bowling extras proved even more generous than Reeds in adding 31, and with Heslam powering his way to 37* and Deville 11*, Reed reached the required total of 102 for the loss of only 1 wicket from just 12.3 overs.
