Reed III’s travelled to Hertford for the eighth game of the league season, Hertford elected to bat after winning the toss, sending the Reed boys out into the blazing sun. Woodcock and Robertson opened the bowling, with Robertson removing Giblett (0) and Orchard (0) in successive overs the pair bowled tight lines, however Beale and Spring began to build a partnership.. Youngsters Fitzgerald (9-3-25-0) and Owen Hughes (5-0-16-0) both bowled tidy spells, but it was the bowling of Pallet that broke the partnership as Beale (29) was caught by the safe handed Owen Hughes. Timms (2) became Pallett’s (8-0-37-2) second victim, and confusion between the batsmen caused Codd (8) to be run out. Hertford stood at 107- 5, however the tenacious Spring was joined at the crease by Horton, who steadily increased the run rate. The pair continued to attack the bowlers, despite some crafty spin from Khambhat (5-0-33-0), until spring reached the last of his lives, bing caught by Robertson off the bowling of Woodcock. A will held catch in the deep by Fitzgerald saw Woodcock 14-3-47-2) pick up his second wicket,, Riddle, departing for just 3. Kildare (9*) and Benham (1*) finished the innings undefeated, leavin Hertford 200-8 from their 53 overs.
It was Willoughby and R.Hughes that began the run chase, setting off steadily against the pin-point accuracy of Benham and Kildare. Willoughby (18) was caught beautifully in the deep by Timms off the bowling of Benham (12-0-35-3), who quickly picked up the wickets of Fitzgerald (4) and Bowles (5). Kildare (9-2-32-0) continued to bowl well, but Khambhat began to find his range attacking the new bowlers Riddle and Orchard. Hughes (25) fell victim to Riddle’s (5-1-20-1) left arm pace, bringing the in-form Naeem to the crease. As boundaries began to come freely to the batsmen, Reeds total crept up, until Khambat’s (36) aggression got the better of him, being clean bowled by Orchard. Robertson (12) made a brief appearance at the crease until he was caught off the bowling of Codd. Naeem (28)continued to push on supported by Moodey, until he was an attempted sweep shot had him trapped LBW by Orchard (10-1-42-2). Pallett (7) attempted to push the score onward but was caught in the deep off the bowling of Codd (8-2-20-2). It was Woodcock (3*) and youngster Moodey (11*) who held it together and ensure Reed completed their 47 overs at 159-8. A solid draw with Reed gaining 12 points and Hertford 18.
