Sonning Innings

for ( Overs)

Batsmen		Runs	Balls	4s	6s	SR
Chris Priestley	Out	25
Alex Wright	Out	18
Jason Dance	Out	22
Phil Collier	Out	4
James Ford	Out	4
Jameel Ahamed	Out	12
Richard Anderson	Out	3
Nigel Thorpe	Not Out	30
Dave Rintoul	Not Out	0
Mark Anderson	DNB
Steve Hill	DNB
Extras

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets	Economy
Jason Dance	17.0	3	57	2	3.35
Jameel Ahamed	1.0	0	4	0	4.00
Richard Anderson	3.4	0	6	1	1.64
Dave Rintoul	19.0	4	51	7	2.68
Extras

Fielder	Catches	Run Outs	Stumpings
Chris Priestley	1	0	0
Alex Wright	2	0	0
Jason Dance	1	0	0
Jameel Ahamed	1	0	0
Richard Anderson	1	0	0
Nigel Thorpe	2	0	0

Match Report

With the covers removed to reveal a solid and green playing surface and dark clouds overhead, the skippers strode to the middle both in a confused state as to whether batting or bowling first was the better option. Luckily for Thorpey he lost and the Tring Park 3 skipper elected to bat which proved to be probably the best ever toss to lose as five minutes later the heavens open and a heavy downpour meant the game took a major twist without a ball being bowled.

Even though the Sonning boys were quick to react to the downpour by getting the covers on, an eager eyed Jason Dance noticed that something wasn't quite right and that water was pouring from a cover drain. Five minutes later the covers had been re-positioned but water had poured over the playing surface and a wet patch that any welsh slapper would have been proud to own, sat nicely in the middle of the track. With the rain now replaced by sunshine, both skippers decided that it was safe and right to get the game going and after losing just thirty minutes due to the weather, both sides took to the field knowing that defeat would mean a real fight against relegation for the remaining few games.

For the first few overs the dampness played a part as the ball was doing all sorts and wickets fell at regular intervals with Dave Rintoul and Jason Dance putting it on the spot for the pitch to do the work. The fielding for the first time in a few weeks was exceptional as eight catches were taken and the Tring Park 3s innings closed on 125 all out after 40.4 overs with Dave taking seven, Jason two and Richard Anderson bowling the tail ender.

Both teams decided that tea was a better option than going straight out, so with the track having dried out a bit and batting looking a bit easier than at the start of play Chris Priestley and Alex Wright faced the new ball. Playing and missing at a few but also connecting with a few others, the score approached 50 without loss and the Sonning hoards were looking forward to an early finish and a much deserved victory. However, both openers fell in quick succession and although Jason Dance contributed a fluent 22, wickets continued to tumble and it wasn't long before a great situation began to look rather precarious at 78 for 5 and then 88 for 6. The skipper entered the fray and quickly settled the nerves as a quick fire 30 not out ensured that the winning post was reached successfully for the loss of seven wickets.

A great fielding performance, that was nearly jeopardised with the bat, meant a much needed win for the 2s and 20 points to stave off relegation and potentially put the 2s in an outside possibility of promotion with four games to go.

Thorpey