Reed travelled to Radlett IV looking to continue their fine league form. Radlett was the venue of the rare league win the season before and so hopes were high. Again the wicket looked like a belter, but Skipper Marcus Martin decided to put the struggling home side into bat. This looked like a great decision when Peter Tidey struck early. Tidey has a love affair with Radlett and watching his 22 over spell you could see why. Reed were quickly in the wickets putting Radlett on the back foot.
Runs were slow to come by, less than 2 runs an over. Tidey was well supported by Rupert Martin. The home side were quickly three down and it should have been worse for them, but the visitors catching was not at its best. Martin bowled Radlett’s skipper with an over pitches yorker. Another dropped catch looked like it could have been a match changer, but the drinks break did the trick as Reed struck twice quickly afterwards.
Radlett tried to up the pace, but Alex Kelly who had replaced Martin took two wickets in his 11 overs to keep the home side pegged back. A lusty last wicket stand saw Radlett past 100, but Kelly dropped a caught and bowled only to knock it on to the non strikers stumps to effect a run out. Radlett were all out for 113.
Reed had to bat for 15 overs before tea and they knew a solid start would be important. Baz Curtis and Phil Freney opened for Reed and had made a good start before Freney was caught behind. Karl Ward and Curtis continued to find the boundary on regular occasions and the pair had got Reed to within 45 of victory when tea came.
Ward fell for 21 quickly after tea and Radlett could sense a glimmer of hope. Curtis was joined by Rob Lankaster who should great maturity and put the bad ball away very well. Curtis reached his 50 with yet another boundary, but was trapped LBW for 64 with only 6 needed.
Skipper Martin joined Lankester and the pair saw them home with 7 wickets and 30 points in hand.
