REED moved into second place in Herts league Division One on Saturday with another solid performance to defeat Ampthill Town.

With rain forecast Reed were pleased to have the chance to field having lost the toss.

They made a good start with opening bowlers Mitchell Cooper (1-30) and Jack Tidey (2-28) again bowling well restricting Ampthill to 20-2 after 10 overs.

Although a decent partnership developed taking the score to 57-2, Greaves (4-53) made an important breakthrough.

Following that Reed took control of the game forcing Ampthill to 108-8 in the 40th over as Greaves and Rupert Martin (2-37) bowled well.

The visitors did forge a late partnership taking them to 153-8 before the return of Tidey and Cooper finished off the innings at 154 all out in the 52nd over with Barnes left 77 not out at the end.

With the forecast uncertain Reed were anxious to chase down the runs quickly and again turned to Sean Tidey to open.

Unfortunately it didn’t come off this time as the Ampthill openers bowled with fire.

Greaves though was in the mood and made a quick fire 27 which helped weather the loss of James Heslam for 14.

However, Reed were under pressure at 47-3 even if only after seven overs.

But Joe Curk (59) and William Heslam (14) forged the match winning partnership with Curk dominating the bowlers.

He played beautifully on his return to the side and when he departed Reed were almost home on 121-4 off 18 overs with Heslam providing good support.

As the skies turned greyer Jack Tidey and Michael Robertson were promoted up the order to finish the game quickly and that Reed did with Tidey again showing his all round game scoring 28 not out off very few balls to see Reed home to a crucial win at 156-5 in 24.3 overs.

Unlike the previous week, other results went Reed’s way and second place is now in their hands although they face third placed Totteridge Milhillians and top of the table Hertford in the next two weeks which will be crucial to the promotion hopes.