REED thirds continued their good start to their Saracens Herts League with a convincing seven-wicket win over Ware seconds. On their new ground in Sandon, captain Peter Baker elected to field first – a move that soon gave him second thoughts, with both t

REED thirds continued their good start to their Saracens Herts League with a convincing seven-wicket win over Ware seconds.

On their new ground in Sandon, captain Peter Baker elected to field first - a move that soon gave him second thoughts, with both the Ware openers hitting some early fours.

However, the Reed breakthrough soon came, with Neil Haslam (2-21) clean bowling one of the openers, and the next wicket falling when Willoughby took a catch off Kieran Ward's (3-23) bowling.

The remainder of the wickets were quick to follow, with some tight swing bowling from Haslam, Ward, and Roberts (5-3). Swain also contributed by making a good catch at mid- off, with Ware eventually all out for 52.

Swain opened and scored an unbeaten 24, with Marcus Baker making a valuable 16.

Heslam then came in to help knock off the remaining few runs by scoring nine not out.

Reed got home with seven wickets in hand - a good all round performance.

- REED'S under 13 first team have got off to a mixed start to their season, with two wins and two defeats.

Despite remaining unbeaten in the Hertfordshire League, the team were knocked out of the Cambridgshire County Cup and lost their opening game of the Cambridgeshire Premier League campaign.

Reed completed an early-season double over Knebworth Park, totalling 118-8 in their allotted 20 overs, with Sam Deville (17) and James Hooper (16) top scoring.

And they made early inroads into the Knebworth batting, as William Heslam and Ollie Benham each took a quick wicket, but Knebworth fought back with Gibbins and Butler both registering 30.

However, with the departure of these two, Reed regained control and restricted the visitors to 111-4, ensuring a narrow win by seven runs.

Meanwhile, Reed's William Heslam has secured a place in the Cambridgeshire under 12 county squad.

Heslam, who had a fine season last year for the county under 11s, starred in the opening match of the season away to Lincolnshire, where the Cambs boys recorded a resounding victory.

Heslam set the early pace, and only just missed out on a half- century with a stylish 48 in a first wicket stand of 81 in 17 overs.

Cambs recorded 233-7, a total Lincolnshire could never reach and were dismissed for just 52 to give Cambs a huge 181 run victory.