U9 Falcons v Cookham Dean Under 9 Kestrels

Falcons Soar to Victory at Ricketts Field as Green and Hatchett-Walker Star with the Bat

Sonning U9 Falcons travelled to Cookham Dean's Ricketts Field on 16 July and delivered a commanding performance in their U9 Super 8s North East league fixture, winning comfortably after posting an imposing total of 152 for 6 from their 20 overs.

Cookham Dean won the toss and opted to field, but that decision was quickly made to look questionable as Alexander Green set about the bowling from the very first over. Green struck five fours and a towering six in a blistering knock of 29 from just 15 balls, giving the Falcons the perfect platform at the top of the order. His aggressive intent put the home bowlers on the back foot from the outset and ensured Sonning were always scoring at pace.

Captain Alexander Hatchett-Walker provided the innings with a vital second pillar, compiling 24 from 19 deliveries with three boundaries. Batting at number four, Hatchett-Walker showed maturity and composure to keep the scoreboard ticking over during the middle overs. Barney also made a significant contribution lower down the order, cracking three fours in an unbeaten 18 off 12 balls that gave the Falcons' total an extra boost in the closing stages. Henry Seadon (9), William Gates (6), and Freddy (9) all chipped in with useful runs throughout.

Cookham Dean's bowlers found it difficult to stem the flow, with extras proving particularly costly. A total of 54 extras — including 34 wides and 20 no-balls — swelled the Falcons' total considerably. Elliot Gleeson was the most economical of the home attack, conceding just four runs from his single over, while Ethan Davison claimed the only wicket to fall from the bat.

In reply, Cookham Dean needed 153 to win but never truly threatened the target. The Falcons' bowling attack was disciplined where it mattered most, and crucially took eight wickets — each dismissal costing the batting side five runs under the competition's scoring format. Ella Banks top-scored for the home side with 12 from 13 balls, hitting two fours, while Ben Banks matched that tally with 12 from 14 deliveries batting at number eight. Ethan Davison contributed 11 lower down the order, but the middle of the Cookham Dean batting card was thin, with Monty Knight unable to score from seven balls and Thomas Leach managing just a single.

Arthur Teed was the pick of the Sonning bowlers, returning excellent figures of 2 for 12 from his three overs. His control in the middle overs was instrumental in applying pressure. Hatchett-Walker was outstanding with the ball as well, bowling a maiden in his two-over spell and finishing with 1 for 2 — a miserly performance that underlined his all-round contribution to the victory. Alexander Green added 1 for 5 from two overs to complement his earlier batting heroics, while Havishreddy Basireddy and Edward Heath each claimed a wicket apiece.

Cookham Dean were ultimately bowled out for 113, falling 39 runs short of the Falcons' total. Despite contributing 54 extras of their own — with wides again the chief culprit — Sonning's bowlers took enough wickets and restricted enough scoring shots to ensure the result was never seriously in doubt. The victory earned the Falcons a deserved two league points as they continue their campaign in the Berkshire Youth Cricket League.