Reed resurrected their North Hertfordshire League promotion hopes at Graveley on Sunday. In tough windy conditions, and on a green wicket, Reed won the toss and unsurprisingly put Graveley into bat. Some good early bowling from Matt Graham and Rupert Mar

Reed resurrected their North Hertfordshire League promotion hopes at Graveley on Sunday.

In tough windy conditions, and on a green wicket, Reed won the toss and unsurprisingly put Graveley into bat.

Some good early bowling from Matt Graham and Rupert Martin restricted Graveley early on.

Martin then took two wickets in two balls to leave Graveley struggling on 35-2.

However, a big hitting innings from opener Braley (92) increased the run rate, despite Archer bowling Baynes for five.

Braley continued to score runs including some massive sixes, whilst being well supported by Cartwright.

All rounder Marcus Martin eventually bowled Braley before he reached his century, and followed it up by removing the dangerous Cartwright for 29.

Archer then bowled Bird for his second wicket in a good spell, with Graveley finishing their 40 overs on 204-7, with Wright being run out on the last ball.

Reed were also helped by some superb wicket keeping from 12-year-old Sean Tidey.

Chasing a high total, Reed got off to a bad start when promising young batsman Fergus Martin went with the score on zero.

This brought his brother Marcus to the crease, he and Matt Bowles then put on 64 for the second wicket, before Cartwright snared the wicket of the out-of-form Bowles for 12.

Martin was then paired with 15-year-old Ed Garrott, both of whom looked in fine form.

However when Martin went for a superb 53, Reed again looked in some trouble at 72-3.

Michael Robertson then batted well for 20, before he too was bowled in the tough conditions, and when Graham went soon after, Reed looked in real trouble at 110-5.

Father and son combination Ed and Paul Garrott then took up the challenge, and with some sensible and classy batting set about rescuing the Reed innings.

The pair put on 73 for the next wicket, when Paul Garrott was bowled for 21 with Reed nearing their total.

Ed Garrott remained unfazed, and saw Reed home maturely and brilliantly, coming of age with a stylish and controlled innings.

Man-of-the-match Ed Garrott finished on 76 not out, with Rupert Martin hitting the winning runs with an edge to leave Reed on 206-7.