1st XI vs Wargrave

Zahid and Higginbottom Steer Sonning to Comprehensive Victory Over Wargrave

Sonning 1st XI secured a convincing eight-wicket victory against Wargrave in their Division 2A league fixture at King George's Field. After winning the toss and electing to field, Sonning's disciplined bowling attack restricted Wargrave to 173-8 from their 52 overs before a commanding batting display saw them chase down the target with ease.

Bobby Malik was the standout bowler for Sonning, claiming impressive figures of 4-42 from his 13 overs. The spinner's victims included Avi Pasikanti (18), Yuvraj Deshpande (10), Oliver Newton (48), and Tom Walker (10). Zanoxolo Gift Kwatsha provided excellent support with 3-34 from 15 overs, while Ella Phillips chipped in with 1-15 from five economical overs.

Wargrave struggled to build momentum throughout their innings, with only Newton offering significant resistance with a well-constructed 48 from 63 deliveries, including seven fours and one six. Adit Rajeev contributed a patient unbeaten 36, but the visitors found themselves unable to accelerate against Sonning's disciplined bowling unit.

The Newton-Rajeev partnership of 40 runs for the seventh wicket was Wargrave's most productive, helping them reach a modest total that ultimately proved inadequate. Sonning's fielding complemented their bowling effort, with captain Peter Higginbottom taking a catch and wicketkeeper Dhruv Peshkar executing a stumping to dismiss Walker off Malik's bowling.

In reply, Sonning lost Peshkar early for just one run, trapped lbw by Danyal Ghazi with the score on six. This brought Mohammed Zahid to the crease, who alongside Higginbottom, produced a match-defining partnership of 138 runs that effectively sealed the contest.

Zahid was the aggressor, striking 15 boundaries in his excellent knock of 86 from 104 deliveries before falling lbw to Adit Rajeev. Captain Higginbottom remained unbeaten on 63 from 109 balls, his innings featuring 10 fours as he guided his side to victory with an assured display of batting.

Muhammad Ayub added a brisk unbeaten 14 from 20 deliveries as Sonning reached their target in the 41st over, finishing on 177-2 and securing a comprehensive victory that strengthens their position in the league standings.