Reed Under 11’s have got off to a great start to their Cambridgeshire League season with two victories over local sides Cokenach and Royston.

In their first match against Cokenach Reed bowled first and despite bowling an unacceptable total of 21 Wides and No Balls restricted Cokenach to 260 for 6 wickets in their 15 Overs. Hamilton 18 top scored for Cokenach and George Garrott 2 –17 proved the pick of the Reed bowlers.

Reeds reply got off to a solid start through Ollie Townsend and Michael Fox but the innings then lost its way and after 9 of their 15 overs Reeds total was only 214.

However the arrival of William Heslam and George Garrott as the 4th Reed pair transformed the match. Heslam took the attack to the home team with a series of powerful genuine cricket shot which belied his 9 years of age and registered a score of 25 not out. Together with Garrott, 7 not out, the pair added 46 in their 3 overs and transformed the match into a likely Reed win. Kallum Ward 14 not out and Ben Jackson batting as the final pair ensured the eventual Reed total reached 274 – 5 ensuring a controlled and comfortable Reed win by 14 runs.

The following week a similarly undefeated Royston Team arrived at Reed for the local “derby”. Batting first Royston could never get to real grips with the accurate Reed bowling, and despite solid efforts from Wright, 9, and Harper 5, could only post an overall total of 235 – 8 in the face of an inspired bowling performance from Reed’s Ben Jackson who took 6 for 13 from his 3 eight ball overs.

Reed ought to have coasted to victory but despite a solid start from Ollie Townsend 6 and Michael Fox 5, the excellent early Royston bowling pegged back the score by taking 3 wickets and restricting the Reed scoring opportunities. After 9 overs Reed totalled only 216 – 3 but once again the arrival of William Heslam and George Garrott as Reeds fourth pair transformed the match. Their first over together produced 19 runs and at the end of their three overs the Reed score stood at 251 – 3 with Heslam again starring with a majestic 22 not out. Reeds final pair of Kallum Ward and Ben Jackson again made sure of the win putting on a further 34 runs with Jackson contributing 17 not out. Despite fine bowling from Toby Fynn, Wright, Leary and Harper, Reeds final total of 284 – 3 ensured victory by 49 runs seeing them take an early season initiative in topping their Under11 league table.