3rd XI vs Hawley

May 26 v. Hawley – Home. Won by 7 wickets

Chasing 131 to win, Sonning powered to victory in just 21 overs culminating in a brutal assault on the Hawley bowling by “Butcher� Banjo and “Butcher� Sam Jennings [of Jennings Butchers!]. Banjo finished on 39* off just 29 balls, and Sam 24* off 12 balls including 5 fours as Sonning raced to victory by 7 wickets.

Hawley’s top order was the most accomplished we had faced so far, five of their top eight batsmen making double figures. Dan and I took the new ball and, between us, bowled ten tidy overs for 29 runs without a breakthrough. Both were then replaced by two wily performers, Don Wilmott [Don], making his first appearance of the season, and Anners [combined age 107!]. Anners was the first to strike, taking two wickets in his second over with variations of pace. Meanwhile, from the driveway end, Don was clicking through the gears, quickly finding a consistent line and length and exerting pressure: in his fourth over he bowled their other opener, for 21. But their fourth wicket put on 50, and they were 98 for 3 when Don deceived the batsman with a slow, in-swinging yorker…. I know, ‘cause by now I was keeping wicket! The fifth wicket then put on another 20 but, showing excellent stamina, Don trapped two more to finish with 4-28 off 10 overs. Tariq chipped in with two late wickets, and the Thing got an lbw verdict to account for their number 11 .

Any run-chase is made easier with a solid foundation and Arsene and Freddie Travers [Freddie] got us off to a solid start, with Freddie dispatching 7 fours, featuring some orthodox off drives - a rare sight in division 5 cricket! - before falling for 35. Victory was secured by 5.56pm…. perfect!