REED eased into the final of the Keatley Cup last week with a comfortable win over Therfield. Batting first, Reed made steady progress,thanks to some intelligent shot selection by openers Baz Curtis and Marcus Martin. Therfield were not making things eas

REED eased into the final of the Keatley Cup last week with a comfortable win over Therfield.

Batting first, Reed made steady progress,thanks to some intelligent shot selection by openers Baz Curtis and Marcus Martin.

Therfield were not making things easy.

The fast bowling of Walker-Smith, combined with the slow accurate spells from the rest of their attack meant boundaries were hard to come by.

Nevertheless, Curtis managed to reach 30 before Martin was bowled while playing a rash shot.

But captain Simon Jackson then saw his team through to the close of their 16-over innings, with Reed totalling a solid 93.

In reply, Therfield's progress was halted by some superb seem bowling from the pacy Richard Johnson, and the impressive Karl Ward.

The pair ripped into the Therfield top order, taking three wickets apiece.

Once Ward and Johnson had finished, it was left to Jason Archer to use his wealth of experience to tie up the Therfield tail.

Archer bowled economically, building the pressure on the Therfield batsmen, and snapped up two wickets with his wily swing bowling.

Rupert Martin also got a wicket as Therfield limped to 40-9 off their 16 overs.

# BALDOCK played Reed on Sunday in a reduced overs game of 35.

In damp and grey conditions Baldock batted first and reached 128-7, with Rob Cant again top scoring with 43.

Adam Taylor got 25 in a good opening stand with J Furness which looked to have set Baldock up well, but Reed came back and restricted their total.

In reply, Reed had no trouble against a very inexperienced attack, reaching their target for the loss of just two wickets with overs to spare.

Greg Blenkin got his first wicket of the season in a promising spell, but it was not enough to deny Reed a well-deserved victory.

# BALDOCK seconds crushed league leaders Bayford & Hertford II by seven wickets.

Having won the toss and elected to field, Bayford & Hertford were soon in trouble after some fine swing bowling from the opening bowlers Lewis (3-36) and Lucy (6-54).

Davis (26) and Brook (26) were the only batsmen to test the Baldock fielders, with Bayford & Hertford losing wickets at regular intervals.

Baldock took seven catches in the process and their opponents were all out for 91.

Then Baldock chased the total with ease, with opening batsman Waters (62 not out) striking one six and nine fours.

Gazely (13) supported well, as did Tily (13 not out) to see Baldock win by seven wickets with 18 overs to spare.