After 2 barren years, the U13s recorded their first league victory against top-of-the-table Broxbourne 2s in a closely fought match that went down to the wire. Broxbourne won the toss and elected to put Reed into bat - A decision which appeared to be paying off as Reed struggled to accumulate runs against tight bowling. Opener Eddie Cooke was bowled cheaply (1), bringing newcomer Lewis Abdul-Karim to the crease in the 5th over with Reed on 12 runs. Lewis's years perfecting his golf swing proved useful in the middle as he found the boundary twice before being run out to a direct hit from deep on 9 runs. Reed were 47 for 2 in the 10th over. Tom Green came to the crease knowing that the run rate needed to improve if Reed were going to post a defendable total - which he duly did until opener Callum Rickets was bowled on 13. The dynamic partnership of Tom Green and Daniel Vincent rarely disappoints and the run rate accelerated again with quick-witted running between the wickets and continuous strike rotation Reed raced past 100 runs before Tom shipped a catch to a fielder.... departing agonisingly close to retirement on 29; closely followed by Daniel (18) - who found a fielder whilst trying to clear the boundary in the 19th over. Aaron Nash added a quick-fire 5 in 4 balls - partnered by Lily Hall (bowled - 0) and Tash McNamara (0) who closed out the innings. Reed posted a respectable 124 Reeds bowling needed to be composed and tight - Which is was... The opening partnership of Callum Ricketts (2-0-0-4) and Daniel Vincent (3-0-0-12) kept Broxbourne honest... but they decided to go after Lewis Abdul-Karim, [...]

Broxbourne 1 may be running top of the league, but Reed's continual improvement in form is beginning to show through. After losing the toss and being put in the field, a change in the opening bowling meant that Aaron Nash (3 overs, 0 maidens, 0 wickets, 19 runs) and Tom Green (3-0-1-19) were pitched against Broxbourne’s openers - bristling with district and county players. Tom and Aaron keeping Broxbourne honest. As is becoming customary.... Reed continued to take wickets at the expense of runs, with newcomer Charlie Cannon (3-0-1-14) and veteran Lily Hall (3-0-1-30) feeling the heat from the dangerous middle order. The depth of Broxbourne's batting line-up started to show, with Stanley Johnson (1-0-0-11) and Sam Dawson (1-0-0-12) being punished by the experienced batting. Reed's most experienced bowlers shored up the bowling, Daniel Vincent (3-0-1-8) and Callum Ricketts (3-0-3-26), but even they could stem the flow. Reed had taken 7 Broxbourne wickets. With Broxbourne on 149, a victory was always going to be a long shot .... But Reed had their eye on achieving maximum batting bonus points. With Broxbourne's bowling line-up as adept as their batters, the aim was to bat long and deep - So the early loss of the normally steady Oscar Lamb for 0 was a big blow. Tom Green (8) was caught attempting to clear the fielder. Daniel Vincent to the crease earlier than expected with Reed on 26 for 2 off 7 overs. Callum and Daniel looked to be steadying the ship once again, before Callum fell on 9 runs to a peach of a ball. Charlie Cannon arrived... along with the fireworks, hitting a 6 off his first ball, followed by a 4 of the next! The [...]