REED slipped to second in Hertfordshire League Division 2, but still remain unbeaten after drawing at home with Knebworth Park seconds. Unfortunately for Reed, second-placed Berkhamsted, who they will meet this weekend, were victorious, leaving everythin

REED slipped to second in Hertfordshire League Division 2, but still remain unbeaten after drawing at home with Knebworth Park seconds.

Unfortunately for Reed, second-placed Berkhamsted, who they will meet this weekend, were victorious, leaving everything up for grabs when the two sides meet.

Despite winning the toss, Reed struggled to make inroads into the Knebworth line-up, as their prolific captain and overseas star Jaret Turner (21) built a solid 42-run opening partnership with Gregory (61).

However, it was going to have to be something special to dismiss the impressive Turner, and thankfully for Reed, that something came from stand-in captain Andrew Young, who removed Turner's middle stump.

Simpson (72) then joined Gregory, and the pair took the score to 133, plundering some loose deliveries from Reed's bowlers, despite some excellent commitment from Graham Wilson (18.5-3-74-1).

Garrott (7-0-37-1) and Chris Jackson (5-0-29-0) battled hard, but the Knebworth batsmen plundered some more and Reed were soon staring down the barrel at a possible chase of 290.

It took the introduction of William Clarke (13-1-60-2) and Graham Wilson in his second spell to peg back the score, with Clarke removing Simpson with a ball that trapped the 16-year-old prodigy in front of the wicket.

Dâ Aubreu (39) continued to keep the scoreboard ticking, despite Clarke removing Burford for nine. Dâ Aubreu teamed up with Robinson (23) and they did enough to take their team to 244-5 off 53 overs.

In reply, Reed began positively, as Baz Curtis (13) took control with Tom Fulk (39), opening in the absence of skipper James Heslam.

However, with the score on 28, Curtis was caught at mid-off, trying to loft the ball over the top, before Phil Frenay (35) picked up the baton to take the score to 106 with some powerful shots all around the wicket.

Fisher (19-5-50-3) then removed them both in quick succession, with Chris Jackson (14) and Richard Johnson (10) following shortly after.

Simon Jackson (17 not out) and Marcus Martin (58 not out) had to rebuild the Reed innings, and chased the runs down against Knebworth's quality bowling.

Martin reached his maiden first team league 50, including an array of boundaries and blistering lofted off drives.

Jackson supported well, but it was Martin's day, as he ensured that Reed did not collapse and dragged them to 210-5 off 47 overs.

Vice captain Andrew Young said: "It was a shame we could manage only a draw, and as a result Berkhamsted have now caught up with us.

"We did not bowl as well as we could, and we should have held our catches.

"However, our batting performance was encouraging and I was particularly pleased for Marcus Martin, who has worked hard on his technique this season - it certainly paid off with such a magical innings.