1st XI v Purley 1st Team

Mark Richards has returned from Henley to bolster the Sonning batting, but he fell for just 10.

After a sluggish start, JJ Harris (27), skipper Gary Phillips (20) and Ghulam Abbas (41) upped the tempo.

Abbas, in particular, was on song, smashing two sixes in one Caleb Maycock over.

Purley’s left-arm spinner Zanan bowled an excellent spell of 5-58 to restrict Sonning to 182-9.

Purley’s reply got off to a terrible start as David Livingstone fell for a duck, then fellow opener Paul Reber fell two overs later.

Abbas (3-24) and Harvey Grout kept a tight rein on the Purley batsmen.

And although Alan Schofield grafted hard, taking 25 overs for his 36no, Purley settled for a draw on 109-6.

Sonning skipper Phillips said: “There was not a lot in the pitch for the bowlers.

“We tried to tempt them into going for the runs, but it was a bit disappointing for us as they didn’t go for it and it was a dour game for the last 25 overs.�

PRIZE SCALP – Purley celebrate after having Sonning opener Mark Richards caught out for 10 during their Premier Division clash.