Letchworth gained more than ample revenge for their loss to Reed earlier this season with a nine wicket victory at The Green on Saturday.
Asked to bat first, Reed were soon in trouble losing skipper James Heslam and Joe Curk in consecutive balls with just five runs on the board, the probing fast-medium bowling of Durham University opening bowler Ed Morse accounting for both wickets. Chris Jackson scored two boundaries before departing for just 11 and with Michael Curtis and Will Dobson soon following, the home side were precariously placed at 26 for 5 in just the thirteenth over. Stuart Smith and Simon Jackson set about trying to make a rescue mission but with Smith departing for just 3 it was left to Jackson to drop anchor to try and secure a defendable total. He did hold out for nearly ninety minutes for a gritty ten runs before falling to the off-spin of Marsh. It was left to the last wicket pair of Lee Johnson (14 not out) and Andy Young (34) to take them up to 99 All Out off just 43.4 overs. Morse with 4 for 37 and Marsh 4 for 41 the pick of the Letchworth attack.
Letchworth then proceeded to their target with little problem and seemed as they reached 103 for 1 in just 18 overs. South African Seb Franke- Mattecha unbeaten on 54. Lee Johnson (1 for 27) picking up Reed’s only wicket and indeed their only point out of the game.
The defeat leaves Reed fourteen points above Hoddesdon who they must avoid losing to in their last League game to preserve their First Division status for next year.
