3rd XI vs Reading Lions

Sonning 3rd XI Fall Short Despite Imam's Four-Wicket Haul

Sonning 3rd XI suffered a 72-run defeat to Reading Lions in their Division 8B league fixture at Waingels College on Saturday. Despite a commendable bowling performance by Asad Imam, who claimed four wickets, Sonning were unable to chase down Reading Lions' imposing total of 259-6.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Reading Lions built a solid foundation with an 85-run opening partnership between Don Mani (19) and Sanju Joseph (32). Imam provided the breakthrough for Sonning, dismissing Mani caught behind by Harrison Lott, the first of two catches for the Sonning wicketkeeper.

The middle order propelled Reading Lions to their substantial total, with Rajesh Naidu emerging as the standout performer. Naidu struck a commanding 61 off 55 balls, including five fours and two sixes, before retiring not out. Sachin Mohan provided valuable late-innings impetus with an unbeaten 33 from just 29 deliveries.

Sonning's bowlers struggled with discipline, conceding 65 extras including 33 wides. Imam was the pick of the attack with figures of 4-33 from his eight overs, while Sam Taylor (1-39) and Jack Durrant (1-48) claimed the other wickets. Aseem Shafi delivered the most economical spell, finishing with 0-26 from seven overs including the only maiden of the innings.

In response, Sonning's chase began promisingly with Shafi leading from the front. The opener struck five boundaries in his 39 runs from 48 balls before being run out by Prajeesh Krishna with the score at 69. His dismissal triggered a middle-order collapse as Sonning slumped from 83-3 to 113-6, losing three wickets for just 30 runs.

Mohan proved as effective with the ball as he had been with the bat, returning figures of 4-40 to dismantle Sonning's middle order. Captain Arun Kumar Pera offered brief resistance with 21 from 20 balls, while Neil Jasti remained unbeaten on 16 from 44 deliveries as Sonning finished on 187-9 from their allotted 40 overs.

Murli Tikyani supported Mohan well with the ball, claiming 2-27 from his eight overs, including the crucial wicket of Jack Durrant (14) who had threatened briefly with three boundaries during the latter stages of Sonning's innings. The Lions' disciplined bowling performance, coupled with sharp fielding that yielded a run-out and several well-taken catches, ensured they maintained control throughout the second innings to secure a comfortable victory.