Reed 3rd XI maintained their excellent run of form as they swept aside previously high flying Hertford 4s at home on Saturday, and in doing so propelled themselves to within 1 point of the promotion spots. Having won the toss, visiting skipper Carr had no hesitation in batting first on what has proven to be a usually high run scoring Freman College. However, this decision soon backfired as Reed opening bowlers Rupert Martin (8-1-31-5) and Karl Ward (10-2-31-2) soon had Hertford in a whole heap of trouble, with the visitors reeling on 10-4 inside the opening 5 Overs.
Ward bowled an excellent line and length, whilst Martin got the ball to swing more than a middle aged German couple, and in doing so, taking his first 5-wicket haul of the 2010 season. Change bowlers Julien Fynn (5.1-0-17-1) and the ageing Jason Archer (4-3-4-2) then picked up where Martin and Ward left off, taking the last 3 wickets to leave Hertford shell shocked, all out for 86 in 27.1 Overs.
Reed skipper Maseeh Naeem reunited brothers Matt and Ben Bowles at the top of the order, with both batsmen in good form of late. The pair made light work of the Hertford bowling attack, as Ben Bowles (33) punished anything short and wide, with 3 or 4 domineering shots through the covers, and Matt Bowles (43 Not Out) stylishly dispatching the ever more frustrated visitors to all parts. Ben Bowles eventually fell, bowled by Lait with only 26 left needed to win, but Ian Fulk (2 Not Out) joined Matt Bowles as he saw Reed home inside 15 Overs, and by 15:10.
