Despite losing the top of the table clash with Hertford, Reed maintained their second position in Herts League Division One heading into the final round of matches this Saturday.

Hertford skipper Gale won the toss and elected to bat for the first time this season knowing five bonus points were all they would need to confirm their promotion. He proceeded to hit the first four balls to the boundary.

Reed fought back hard and picked up their first wicket at 34-1 in the fifth over with Jack Tidey (1-42) rushing McGregor into a mistimed pull shot.

Hertford continued to make good progress led by Gale who played a captain’s innings of 77.

He was supported by middle order contributions from the Ray brothers and Joyce.

At 178-3 in the 40th over Hertford looked on course, but when Gale became one of Tom Greaves (5-78) five wickets the innings faltered. With Curk (3-35) bowling well with Greaves, Reed were able to avoid Hertford racking up a very big total restricting them to 232-9 in 53 overs.

Reed got off to a decent start in reply with the Heslam brothers taking the score onto 67-0 in 15 overs with Will Heslam (41) playing impressively.

However, James Heslam (27) was dismissed caught behind and Greaves fell immediately after turning the game in the space of four balls.

Will Heslam then fell leaving Reed at 75-3 off 19 overs. Chris Jackson (32) and Joe Curk set about rebuilding the innings.

When Curk was caught at point for 28, Reed were 119-4 in 30 overs.

Stuart Smith scored a quick fire 23 but at 154-5 in 37 overs, Reed needed eight an over to win.

Although maintaining hope of the win Reed did however have in the back of their minds a target of 185 to secure the necessary batting points to stay second in the league and thanks to Jackson and some useful lower order batting from Mitchell Cooper Sean Tidey and Ed Garrott they reached that before falling short on 190 all out from 45.5 overs.

Reed need to win their final game at Langleybury to secure promotion.