Sonning Innings
for ( Overs)
Match Report
A really hot and humid day at Ruislip Victoria saw the Sonning 4th emerge with their 5th win of the season. The day didn’t start well as few of the players got stuck in the traffic and were late to the ground. The opposition gave us the 15 runs penalty according to the league handbook for arriving 15 min late.
Having arrived late Sonning conceded the toss and the opposition decided to bat first. This was first ever adult game for our U15 colts Robert(Bobby) Ray,Luke Mahoney,Jamie Olive and Max Coreless. They were also joined by Chris Coreless and Methew Birch making it an almost a new 4th team.
In absence of regular opening bowlers Captain asked young Amer Khan and Jegan Srinivasan to open the bowling. They both struggled to find their usual line and length and couldn’t build any pressure in the beginning. Captain brought on Methew Birch and he immediately started to probe the corridor of uncertainty. He got the breakthrough in his very first over, bowling a beautiful in swinger to beat batsman’s defence. Captain Waqas Tahir brought himself from the other but struggle repeat his heroics from last week of 7 for 35. He struggled to maintain good line and length and couldn’t break the growing partnership.
Steve Simmons and Bobby Ray were asked to bowl and they both in tandem kept the batsmen quiet and scoring rate dropped considerably. They were very well supported in the field by excellent Luke Mahoney and Max Coreless, both saving many runs to keep the pressure on the batsmen. After their economical spells captain brought back Amer and he made up for his initial spell by bowling an excellent second spell taking 3 quick wickets. He was also supported in the field - Waqas taking a brilliant catch and an outstanding one hand reflex catch from Chris. This was a very good come back by a very promising bowler. Jamie Olive from the other end was a good supporting hand and kept things quiet. Captain brought himself on and redeemed himself from his earlier spell by bowling his usual wicket taking deliveries. He took 2 quick wickets along with Jegan who also two quick wicket in his comeback spell. The opposition team seems to lose their way and from a very good 92-1 and they were bowled out for 158.
Max and Steve opened the innings in reply and got off to a steady start with Steve finding runs easily and on other hand Max was batting with confidence. When the score was 19 Steve misjudged a straight delivery and was bowled on 13. The wicket brought Chris Coreless to the wicket who joined his son in the middle. Chris started his innings brightly and was finding the gaps with ease. Their partnership ended on 46 Max was caught on 10. Chris followed Max soon to the pavilions when he was bowled trying to pull one through the leg side. However he had laid a good platform for the chase. Luke Mahoney joined captain and he looked very assured on the crease but he got a very good delivery and was bowled on 6. At that stage Sonning were on 74/4 with 84 still to get. Nick Ray joined captain in the middle. Nick countered attacked and Sonning crossed 100 in quick time. Waqas on other hand was playing a steady hand as the run rate was always in control. When it looked like the match is heading towards an easy victory for Sonning Waqas was run out taking a second run which was never really on.
The wicket somewhat shifted the momentum to the opposition's side and Jegan,Jamie and Mathew all went back in the hutch in quick time. Amer joined Nick in the middle with still 22 to get with only two wickets remaining. Nick struck few healthy blows with Amer proving to be capable hand. It was left to Nick who batted very responsibly to guide the side home with 2 wickets to spare.
Overall, it was an excellent win considering we had 6 new players and 4 of them U15s. Our bowling and fielding were top class. The youngsters gave a good account for themselves in all three departments. There were good performances throughout the team, Amer bowled an excellent second spell and Nick’s 53* man of the performance which brought home the team. By Waqas
