Won
| Batsmen | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevan Smith | Out | 15 | ||||
| Andy Benning | Out | 14 | ||||
| Retief Van Der Walt | Out | 53 | ||||
| Cameron Gannon | Not Out | 12 | ||||
| Ted Baker | Not Out | 1 | ||||
| Scott Stevens | DNB | |||||
| Harvey Grout | DNB | |||||
| Pieter Oberholzer | DNB | |||||
| Anthony Foley | DNB | |||||
| Matthew Spry | DNB | |||||
| Extras | ||||||
| Bowling | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retief Van Der Walt | 2.0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 5.00 | |
| Cameron Gannon | 8.0 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 1.00 | |
| Harvey Grout | 6.0 | 1 | 28 | 0 | 4.67 | |
| Pieter Oberholzer | 3.1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1.26 | |
| Anthony Foley | 8.0 | 1 | 24 | 2 | 3.00 | |
| Matthew Spry | 5.0 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 3.40 | |
| Extras | ||||||
| Fielder | Catches | Run Outs | Stumpings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kevan Smith | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Cameron Gannon | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Scott Stevens | 0 | 1 | 0 |
The long awaited season was here finally after much preparation and excitement. The team turned out early and limering up, catching practice and creaking bones were the order of the day. The conditions were good for Cricket with the pitch expected to be uneven. The toss was lost and Sonning was asked to filed much to my delight.
Cameron Gannon, Matthew Spry, Scott Stevens, Retief van der Walt, Pieter Oberholzer made their debut for Sonning and collectively with the stalwarts fostered an environment for vicotry.
Cam with Harvey bowled beautifully followed by Snake Foley all but Harvey taking wickets but all exerting great pressure in this local derby. The lads sent the message which we will work hard to sustain. Cam was expensive but managed 5 wickets on debut allowing 8 runs in his 8 overs. A wicketless Harvey did not reflect the pressure he plastered on our opponents. Snake had a great spell memorably bowling Jethro comprehensively who advised over a few jars on Sunday that ' I could only stay a few overs etc'. Jethro was well and truly Snaked! Matt started his debut match with a maiden and had the batsmen in all sorts of trouble with Pieter miserly none for 4 runs in 3.1 overs further mesmerising the Reading lads. I can see some major contribution from Retief with the ball as he was turning it both ways and perplexed the batsmen.
The fielders supported admirably with all trying very hard even if Oberholzer did not smile but Beefy at long on missed nothing and ran out their best batsman with great agility.
The batsmen itched with anticipation over tea looking forward to knocking off the runs. The openers showed staying power and concentration. Kevan batted well with well time strokes and fell to a good low left handed catch at first slip. Andy batted beautifully with concentration and although eventually out LBW demonstarted the stuff required over a long season.
Retief had been itching all of preseason to get the willow out and taste the English conditions and boy did he do that. Almost flawless, he was majestic and graceful. His timing was superb and his alomost six was asight as the ball landed in front of Beefy, Snake and myself as if it was a bunker... one run. .... I would have paid to see Retief's innings...in fact I did with all the jugs after the game!!
Gannon intent on getting into the game at all costs batted well with the Vice Captain Teddy finishing off the match in 26 overs. Shame we did not get a chance to see the firepower of Scott Stevens who I have great hopes for but Scotty kept vey well.
We welcome all the newcomers and their families to the Club. I felt the team worked so admirably well together I could not, on this occassion, select a single man of the match. I selected the team.
The competition will get tougher and whilst we had a great start we will need to continue to work hard, turn up on time for both home and away fixtures, show intent and enjoy playing and the rest will follow. Good job team Sonning!
Waz
