REED surged to the top of the Hertfordshire League Division 2 after chasing down a strong total by newly promoted Cockfosters – a win that sent them 22 points clear. With the weather taking its toll on the majority of the county s cricket, Reed took the d

REED surged to the top of the Hertfordshire League Division 2 after chasing down a strong total by newly promoted Cockfosters - a win that sent them 22 points clear.

With the weather taking its toll on the majority of the county's cricket, Reed took the dismal conditions in their stride and claimed a full 30-point victory.

Reed elected to field first and Cockfosters got off to a bright start with Stead (46), Penny (25) and Fisher (66) looking good.

The trio were pushing the score at a steady pace, until Chris Jackson (5-1-14-1) bowled Stead and then Graham Wilson bowled Penny with a classic outswinger.

Then Peter Tidey (17-3-73-2) took two key wickets to bring more misery to Cockfosters.

With Karl Ward (6-2-37-1) picking up a wicket, Cockfosters declared after 50 overs on 227 for 6.

Despite more rain, Reed chased their target from the off.

Baz Curtis (57) quickly scored his first maiden fifty of the season and together with the in-form James Heslam (93) the pair put on 97.

The Cockfosters bowlers failed to capitalise on the chances they did have, and when Curtis went, Chris Jackson (12) joined Heslam to take the score to 158.

But Jackson's innings was short-lived and he was bowled by Robinson.

Luckily for Reed, they had last week's hero Richard Johnson to call upon, and his quickfire 39 helped push them over the line to win by eight wickets.

Reed captain Heslam said: "This was a sterling performance by the team.

"It was difficult conditions in which to bowl, and despite Cockfosters batting well to post a decent total, I was heartened by another strong batting performance.

"It's good to be able to top the table so early, because traditionally early season has always been a difficult period for us."

- Reed travel to Eversholt on Saturday for more league action.