Won
| Batsmen | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ali Driver | Out | 20 | ||||
| Naqash Tahir | Not Out | 67 | ||||
| Dominic Martyn | Out | 11 | ||||
| Steve Banning | Out | 2 | ||||
| Pieter Oberholzer | Not Out | 49 | ||||
| Dave Allen | DNB | |||||
| Jamie Travers | DNB | |||||
| Charlie Pidgeon | DNB | |||||
| Keith Denyer | DNB | |||||
| Waqas Tahir | DNB | |||||
| Mark Anderson | DNB | |||||
| Extras | ||||||
| Bowling | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naqash Tahir | 11.0 | 3 | 36 | 2 | 3.27 | |
| Pieter Oberholzer | 8.0 | 1 | 28 | 0 | 3.50 | |
| Charlie Pidgeon | 3.0 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 11.00 | |
| Waqas Tahir | 9.0 | 3 | 25 | 0 | 2.78 | |
| Mark Anderson | 14.0 | 2 | 48 | 7 | 3.43 | |
| Extras | ||||||
| Fielder | Catches | Run Outs | Stumpings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ali Driver | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Naqash Tahir | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jamie Travers | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Keith Denyer | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Naqers & Ollie Lift the Gloom
Having been set 173 to win on a spiteful pitch with variable bounce at 84 for 3 our hosts looked favourites to seal victory on this damp, dark afternoon. Indeed the mood of the game had swung in their favour after 3 quick wickets fell after a solid opening partnership of 68 by Ali Driver and Naqash.
Chasing down a target of this magnitude normally requires a single large score or a sizeable partnership were the opposition loose their enthusiasm and ultimately their interest. It transpired we had both, with Naqash carrying his bat for 67 not out and Pieter Olberholzer blasting 49 not out off 51 balls as we ran out winners by 7 wickets. Their partnership of 93 was a contrast of elegance and power, Naqash playing wristy shots off both back and front foot all around the park, interspersed with some well taken singles. Meanwhile Sonning’s own “Pietersen� smashed two memorable maximums over mid-off along with some muscular pulls and cuts to the boundary.
Dominic Martyn and Charlie Pidgeon made their first Saturday appearances and both look very useful additions to the club. Dominic blasted a quick dozen and Charlie was unlucky not to capture a couple of wickets, gaining extravagant bounce from the wicket. Both will improve with more practice, but their contribution in the field was excellent affording the luxury of some of us older statesmen to backing up duties as they hurtled around the ground chasing down the leather!
Having won the toss we inserted Crown Wood and opened with Waqas and Naqash. Both bowled with determination, with Naqash taking 2 for 38. Anners took over from Waqas and bowled unchanged taking 7 for 48 showing excellent control despite a wet ball. Their innings was held together by their number 4 bat making 87, second highest contribution extras..... a few too many wides! At the death of their innings Pieter also bowled with admirable control with his 8 overs costing just 28 runs.
The bowlers were given excellent support in the field on what was a difficult day, good catches by Keith, Ali [plus a stumping] and yours truly ensured that their tail did not wag. Dave Allen spent much of the game patrolling the boundary and did well not to get distracted when posted in front of the Crowthorne Tennis Club courts which were hosting a ladies doubles competition.
After two heavy losses on the previous Saturdays this is an excellent result and congratulations to all the team. A tricky target of 173 to win is always easier to achieve with a solid start, only briefly did the opposition genuinely feel they had a chance of victory.
Jamie
