REED seconds won for the first time this season on Saturday, beating high flying London Colney. But they were looking down the barrel at another defeat at 49-3 after 25 overs. Matt Bowles then joined Ian Fulk, and the pair set about salvaging the inning

REED seconds won for the first time this season on Saturday, beating high flying London Colney.

But they were looking down the barrel at another defeat at 49-3 after 25 overs.

Matt Bowles then joined Ian Fulk, and the pair set about salvaging the innings.

Bowles looked particularly strong, while Fulk played some masterful back foot strokes. Fulk soon reached his 50, as he and Bowles put on 87, Bowles eventually falling for a well-made 36.

Big hitting Jim Allsopp then played a cameo innings, striking a massive six, and three fours in his quick -ire 24. When Allsopp departed, soon to be followed by Fulk for a superb 78, Karl Ward and Steve Lovegrove came to the middle.

The pair batted brilliantly, mixing some huge boundary shots, and good running, and put on 45, with Ward unbeaten on 30, and Lovegrove on 14.

Reed scored a hefty 135 runs in the last 20 overs, 75 of which came in the last 10, leaving them on 210-7 from 53 overs.

In reply, London Colney had to deal with the bowling of Richard Robertson and Karl Ward.

Robertson bowled a highly economical eight-over stint, which yielded one wicket for only 16 runs.

Ward was tireless, and took two wickets.

However, Colney still made it to 110-4 around the halfway stage, with the powerful McCartney in commanding form.

Reed skipper Jason Archer brought himself on to bowl, alongside spinner Ben Bowles and it was Bowles who saw off McCartney, to a great catch from Archer at short extra cover for 79.

Archer then took four wickets.

However, Colney's Rouse remained, and hit a couple of sixes on his way to 45, and with only five overs remaining, Reed required just one wicket to win.

Rouse went for a big hit off Ben Bowles and was caught superbly in the deep by Matt Bowles to give Reed their first 30 point maximum of the season.

The win lifted them out of the bottom four.

Captain Archer said: "I'm absolutely delighted, and very relieved.