U13 Scorchers v Henley Under 13 Leopards

Scorchers Bowled Out for 44 as Henley Dominate at Knowl Hill

Sonning U13 Scorchers suffered a chastening defeat at home to Henley in the BYCL Under 13 Blast North West on 10 May, bowled out for just 44 in reply to Henley's commanding 129 for 2 from their 20 overs at Knowl Hill.

Henley captain Jaxson Mackinnon won the toss and chose to bat, and his side made full use of the decision. Opener Alex Jewell set the tone with a composed 17 from 25 balls before retiring, while Freddie Postlethwaite contributed a fluent 19 from 25 deliveries at number three. The standout innings came from Wilfred Oseman, who top-scored with 24 off 25 balls, striking three fours before retiring. Harry Ellison added 15 and Alastair Taylor finished unbeaten on 13, ensuring Henley's total was boosted by contributions throughout the order. The visitors also benefited from 35 extras, with the Scorchers' bowling lacking discipline at times — Saurav Sivaram conceding seven wides and two no-balls in his three overs, while Aarib Ansari sent down six no-balls in just four legitimate deliveries.

There were some bright spots for the Scorchers with the ball. Frederick Parkes claimed the first wicket, having Mackinnon caught by Jamie Dollinger for 6, while Sivaram picked up the only other scalp, bowling Ellison. Finley Andrews was the most economical of the Sonning bowlers, returning impressive figures of 2-1-6-0, including a maiden over that briefly stemmed the run flow.

The Scorchers' reply was in trouble from the very first ball. Fynn Ellison struck twice in his opening spell, removing Saurav Sivaram — caught by Oseman for a duck off just one delivery — and then bowling captain Charlie Bright for nought with his next wicket. At 3 for 2, the home side were already in deep difficulty, and when Avi Kohli had Jamie Dollinger caught by Jewell for 1, the score read a parlous 4 for 3.

Tejus Maddi showed the most resistance of any Sonning batter, compiling 10 from 16 balls with a four included. He and wicketkeeper Henry Verrier Jones put on 14 for the fourth wicket — the most productive partnership of the innings — before Maddi was run out by Postlethwaite with the score on 18. Verrier Jones battled on to make 7 from 21 balls, but wickets continued to tumble around him.

Frederick Parkes struck a boundary on his way to 4 and Andrews contributed 5, but neither could build a meaningful stand. Oliver Barker struck an enterprising unbeaten 6 from just four balls at number nine, including a four, but he simply ran out of partners. Toby Barlow finished with 2 for 4 from his single over, while Alastair Taylor wrapped up the innings with 2 for 5 in less than an over, bowling both Daniel Moseley and Elijah Patel for ducks in quick succession.

The Scorchers were dismissed for 44 in just 10.5 overs, leaving Henley comfortable victors. It was a match in which the visitors' batting depth and disciplined bowling proved too much for a Sonning side that will need to regroup quickly ahead of their next league fixture.