RECORDING back-to-back wins for the first time this season, Reed were given a boost of confidence with a seven-wicket victory over Hoddesdon. In an excellent performance at The Green, Bernie Morrs impressed as his 18-1-59-5 helped restrict the visitors t

RECORDING back-to-back wins for the first time this season, Reed were given a boost of confidence with a seven-wicket victory over Hoddesdon.

In an excellent performance at The Green, Bernie Morrs impressed as his 18-1-59-5 helped restrict the visitors to 188 for 9 off their allotted 53 overs.

Then captain James Heslam inspired the hosts, with his unbeaten 94 guiding his team to 192 for 3 in the 41st over.

However, the game started slowly for the National Village Cup quarter-final hopefuls, with an alarming number of wayward deliveries and dropped catches.

With the score on 37, Lee Johnson restored some order and made a valuable breakthrough by trapping Gandon lbw.

And the decision to take the pace off the ball and replace the seamers from the top end proved shrewd, with Morss and Pete Tidey putting pressure on the Hoddesdon batsmen.

Tidey bowled a mammoth 20-over spell, which comprised six maidens, including four in a row.

As he began to tire, Reed's "spin twins" were united for the first time, with Dobson (2-16) ably assisting Morrs.

Dobson removed Coutts in the 50th over, and with his dismissal Hoddesdon were kept to a manageable 188 for 9.

Reed's reply was shaky, with Baz Curtis bowled in the first over for 6.

Joe Curk then came in and started brightly, hitting four of his first six deliveries to the boundary, while Heslam seemingly dug in for the long haul.

Curk was caught for 34 with the score on 58, and Chris Jackson (26) came in and supported Heslam, helping steer Reed closer to their target.

When he went, the hosts needed 58, and Phil Frenay (24 not out) set to work on the increasingly disheartened Hoddesdon attack.

At the other end, Heslam accelerated his way to a fine 94, from just 93 deliveries, and ensured his side victory.

Heslam said: "It was an important win for us and it gives us great momentum. It's been a difficult start to life in this division, so securing back-to-back wins is very pleasing. And as a result it has lifted us out of the bottom two.

"We started a little slowly, but we did well in restricting them to 188.

"And in reply, we looked very confident and always looked in control.