Sonning Innings

for ( Overs)

Batsmen		Runs	Balls	4s	6s	SR
James Moore	Out	12
Alex Wright	Out	40
Scott Stevens	Out	79
James Ford	Out	28
Jameel Ahamed	Out	5
Richard Anderson	Out	11
Nigel Thorpe	Out	12
Nigel Jackson	Out	0
Dave Rintoul	Not Out	13
Mark Anderson	Not Out	4
Steve Hill	DNB
Extras

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets	Economy
Jameel Ahamed	5.0	1	26	0	5.20
Richard Anderson	12.0	2	44	1	3.67
Nigel Jackson	5.0	2	8	0	1.60
Dave Rintoul	7.0	0	31	2	4.43
Mark Anderson	19.0	4	55	5	2.89
Extras

Fielder	Catches	Run Outs	Stumpings
James Ford	3	0	0
Nigel Thorpe	1	0	0
Mark Anderson	1	0	0

Match Report

Sonning 2nds boosted by the arrival of James Moore, Alex Wright and Scott Stevens from the 1sts arrived at a picturesque Burnham set up ready for action despite an arduous journey down the A4 due to roadworks causing tailbacks all the way through Maidenhead.

Winning the toss, Thorpey elected to bat on a hard track with the three latest recruits to the 2nds occupying the top three batting slots. Despite Burnham starting the game with nine players due to two late arrivals, runs were hard to come by in the first few overs until Alex and Scott eventually cut loose scoring 40 and 79 respectively. In the interests of a hassle free day Sonning chose not to invoke the OMT laws of cricket and did not complain when M Ali, the ex-Pakistan A opening bowler who had turned up expecting his first game to be for the Burnham 1sts only to be relegated to the 3rds as he didn't arrive until 2.10pm, promptly came on to bowl just 20 minutes later. Scott in particular taking a liking to the short stuff served up by left arm pace ace who then proceeded to bowl all the way through. Subsequent tight bowling from the left armer and two leggies at the other end somewhat scuppered the plan of a target of 240 and a declaration, with Sonning 2nds finishing on 232 for 8 from their 52 overs.

Having seen the ball turning all over the place, Sonning 2nds elected to start with the old ball with Richard Anderson and Jameel having the first opportunity to turn their arms over. The odd one did a bit but it wasn't until the skipper turned to the slower pace of Mark Anderson that things really started to happen. Several times the batsmen were lucky enough to chip the ball into vacant areas or miss a turner that somehow managed to miss the stumps. Eventually the Burnham skipper, who had batted well but had had enough lives, finally lost patience and tried to go over the top and was bowled. Up stepped M Ali who proceeded to show everyone he wasn't a mug with the bat either and a long and frustrating partnership ensued before the skipper took a fine catch at first slip to dismiss the other opener. M Ali continued to bludgeon the ball to all parts but wickets were falling regularly with three of them caught by James Ford at deep mid on off the bowling of Mark Anderson, including that of the M Ali who holed out for a fine 61. The game had been in the balance and Burnham were always up with the run rate required but with wickets becoming an issue the Burnham batsmen elected to dig in and hold out for the draw. Despite this four chances came with Burnham eight down, and also went, as the usually reliable hands of James Ford spilled catches at deep mid on and gulley, Scott Stevens spilling one at 2nd slip and Richard Anderson just failing to get his hands under one at short fine leg. Little did we know that one more wicket would have meant victory and an extra 11 points as the Burnham number 11 was on call at the local hospital and had had to go to work! Burnham finished on 169 for 8 after an enjoyable but frustrating game.

Definitely a game of 'if onlys' but the team should hold their heads high after a fine, battling performance against a friendly Burnham bunch.

Thorpey