There was plenty of excitement and anticipation on Saturday as the newly formed Reed CC 4th XI took to the field for the very first time. The side featured a fantastic mixture of experienced club players, new faces to Reed, and several youngsters making their debut in men’s Saturday cricket. Impressively, the team included three Under 13 players and two Under 15s, highlighting the strength of the club’s youth pathway and the confidence being shown in its emerging talent.

After losing the toss and being asked to field, Reed produced an outstanding display in the field. The bowling throughout was disciplined and tight, with every player contributing to building pressure on the Cambourne batting line-up. Just as impressive was the fielding effort, with Reed holding on to every catch that came their way and backing up the bowlers superbly. The youthful attack in particular made a huge impact, helping reduce Cambourne to 75-8 and putting Reed firmly in control of the contest. A stubborn lower-order partnership eventually helped the visitors recover to 156 all out in 37.3 overs, with Harry Sapsed leading the bowling figures with 3-14, while Joshua England and Simon England both claimed two wickets apiece.

In reply, Reed’s innings was expertly anchored by Joshua England, whose patient and composed knock of 41 provided the foundation for the chase. After a solid start, a brief middle-order collapse suddenly saw some of the more experienced veterans in the side scrambling for their pads a little earlier than expected. However, calm heads prevailed as Graham Hazard (30*) and Simon England (34*) combined for an unbeaten partnership to steer Reed to 157-6 in 32.3 overs and secure a memorable four-wicket victory in the 4th XI’s first ever fixture.

Beyond the result itself, the afternoon represented a hugely encouraging occasion for the club, with young players stepping up superbly alongside experienced teammates in a performance full of energy, teamwork and promise for the season ahead.