Reed 3rd XI somehow emerged from one of the most dramatic games of their season with a one-wicket victory over Southgate Adelaide, keeping their promotion hopes firmly alive and setting up a huge clash with Arkley next weekend.

On a difficult pitch and in hot conditions, Reed took to the field with a much-changed side after holiday absences throughout the club had stretched availability. The team featured a real mixture of youth and experience, with youngsters Jack Manning-Coe and Ziggy Salerno both making their 3rd XI debuts, while some familiar older heads returned to the fold, including Graham "Bunker" Hazard and Dave "Loves a Cider" Saunders.

Reed produced an excellent all-round bowling and fielding performance to dismiss Southgate Adelaide for 142 in 38 overs.

Zak Rouse led the way with 3-31 from his eight overs, while captain Chris Cooper returned 2-16 and Andy Kimsey picked up 2-20. Debutant Ziggy Salerno also claimed a wicket, while Jim Sapsed bowled an excellent eight-over spell for just 18 runs.

The bowlers were backed up by some outstanding work in the field, with the highlights being a superb catch from Salerno in the deep and two spectacular one-handed efforts from father-son duo, Dan Fox and wicketkeeper Ethan Fox.

At the end of their innings, Reed had restricted Southgate Adelaide to 142. It looked a very achievable target, but what followed was less than straightforward.

Reed's chase got off to a disastrous start. Saunders fell with the score on one, Ethan Fox followed at 7-2 and Cooper departed at 13-3.

Andy and Ollie Kimsey then launched an important counterattack. Ollie made a rapid 20 from 17 balls and Andy 25 from 25, taking Reed to 48 before Ollie fell. Andy followed at 74 and suddenly the innings began to unravel again.

Hazard and Daniel Fox were dismissed cheaply before Rouse fell with the score on 96, leaving Reed eight wickets down and still requiring 47 runs.

Debutant Jack Manning-Coe then produced the innings that gave Reed a chance. Showing enormous patience and maturity under pressure, he battled his way to 32 from 61 balls, sharing an invaluable partnership with fellow debutant Salerno and gradually dragging Reed towards the target.

When Manning-Coe was finally dismissed at 121-9, Reed still needed another 22 runs with only one wicket remaining.

What followed was a remarkable final-wicket partnership.

Salerno was joined by Sapsed. With the match, 30 league points and potentially Reed's entire promotion challenge hanging in the balance, the pair calmly chipped away at the target.

Sapsed made an unbeaten 14 from just 12 balls, while Salerno finished 15 not out from 39. Together they added an unbeaten 23 for the final wicket, taking Reed to 144-9 in 29.5 overs and sparking huge celebrations.

The significance of the victory became even greater when news filtered through that league leaders Weston had lost to Arkley. Weston remain top of the league on 433 points, with Arkley now second on 409 and Reed just seven points behind them on 402. With Weston now out of Reed's reach, the battle is on for the second promotion place.

Fittingly, Reed travel to Arkley next weekend for a second-versus-third showdown that will ultimately decide which side joins Weston in earning promotion.

Captain Chris Cooper said:

"It was probably the most stressful game of cricket I've ever been involved in. To have two youngsters in Jack and Ziggy making their 3rd XI debuts and playing such a huge part was fantastic. Jack gave us a chance when we looked dead and buried, and then Ziggy and Jim somehow got us over the line. Superb character. The tail absolutely saved the day and I couldn't be prouder of them."