After receiving a concession the week before, Reed 3s started their new campaign at home against Botany Bay 3s. Reed, led by interim captain Richard Johnson, lost the toss and were put into bat on a dry, cracked wicket. An overcast start, soon gave way to sun, which bathed the Freman oval for the rest of the game. Reed opening pair R Johnson and Saunders opened the innings. After a relatively solid start, Saunders, S Johnson and Mansfield then departed in quick succession, leaving the home side precariously positioned on 45-3. Johnson was then joined by G Hazard, who both went about setting a solid platform for the middle of the innings. Runs became easier with both batsman punishing lose deliveries. Hazard eventually departed for a very useful 27. Fox jnr and Kimsey snr then departed shortly after. The latter was very unlucky. LBW to an absolute "Grubber". This brought Fox snr to the crease. Both he and Johnson continued to move the score along until Johnson walked past a straight one for 71. Fox snr continued on with great support from Reed youngsters R Longland, M Jackson and Kimsey jnr. Reed eventually finishing on 202-9 off 40 with Fox snr ending 31 Not out. This looked to be a decent score on a fairly difficult track.

However, the Botany Bay openers started strongly punishing any lose deliveries to the boundary with disdain. They soon raced on to 65-0 off 10. Despite the score, Kimsey jnr and M Jackson displayed great perseverance and were unlucky to finish their spells wicketless. R Longland and S Johnson bowled first change with Longland very impressive on debut in men's league cricket. He was to eventually finish with impressive figures of 7-1-20-2. Despite this, Botany Bay never looked like they were not going to reach the total. P Morley finished 69 Not out. Fox snr and Kimsey snr also bowled with Fox snr picking up the only other wicket to fall. Botany Bay eventually saw the game home with over 4 overs to spare. A good effort from everyone and very encouraging performances from the Reed youngsters. Many making their debuts and a lot more to come from all of them I have no doubt.