3rd XI vs Hillingdon Manor

Sonning 3rd XI Fall Short Despite Disciplined Bowling Display

Sonning 3rd XI suffered a defeat at the hands of Hillingdon Manor in their Division 9A league fixture at Home Park Pitch 3. After restricting the visitors to 140 all out, Sonning were dismissed for 105, falling 35 runs short of their target.

After winning the toss, Hillingdon Manor elected to bat first and were given a solid foundation by Muhammad Afzal, who top-scored with a well-constructed 56. However, Sonning's bowling attack showed commendable discipline, with Steve Simmons leading the charge with figures of 4-21 from his four overs. The experienced Shahid Imtiaz provided excellent support, returning economical figures of 2-20 from his full allocation of ten overs, including three maidens.

Toby Fitton (2-20) and Mohamad Shahbaz (2-41) also contributed with crucial wickets as Hillingdon Manor's middle and lower order struggled to build on Afzal's foundation. Bhuvan Pasyavula's 23 and Andy Gurdial's 18 provided some resistance, but Sonning's tight bowling and sharp fielding, including catches from Charles Astwood and Matthew Calhoum, saw Hillingdon Manor dismissed for 140 in the 36th over.

Sonning's reply began positively as opener Wazir Khan struck three boundaries in his 20, forming a 23-run partnership with Shamitha Widanapathirana. However, the introduction of Michael Eyre proved decisive for Hillingdon Manor as he tore through Sonning's middle order, finishing with excellent figures of 5-22 from eight overs, including three maidens.

Matthew Calhoum offered the most substantial resistance for Sonning, striking four boundaries in his innings of 26 from 43 deliveries. His partnership of 27 runs for the eighth wicket with Toby Fitton briefly threatened to revive the innings, but once Calhoum fell to Muhammad Afzal with the score on 77, Sonning's chances diminished rapidly.

Graham Rice supported Eyre admirably with 3-29, while Andy Gurdial picked up the crucial wicket of Mohamad Shahbaz late in the innings. Shahid Imtiaz remained unbeaten on 13, but Sonning were ultimately dismissed for 105 in the 34th over, handing Hillingdon Manor a comprehensive victory.

The result leaves Sonning looking to bounce back in their next Division 9A fixture, while they can take some positives from their bowling performance that kept them competitive despite eventually falling short with the bat.