4th XI v Wokingham 6th XI

Sonning 4th XI Bowled Out for 49 as Wokingham Cruise to Comprehensive Victory

Sonning 4th XI endured a chastening afternoon at Reddam House on Saturday, bowled out for just 49 as Wokingham's 6th XI romped to a nine-wicket victory in Division 9C of the Thames Valley Cricket League.

Having won the toss and inserted the visitors, Wokingham's decision was vindicated almost immediately. Matthew Dawes provided Sonning's brightest moments at the top of the order, striking two boundaries in a brisk 9 from 9 balls, and alongside Elliot Dawes the pair put on 19 for the first wicket — comfortably the best partnership of the innings. The wheels then came off spectacularly as three wickets fell on the same score. Elliot Dawes was bowled by Adithya Balasubramanian for 7, and Paul Towner followed for a golden duck, clean bowled by Chris Hudson first ball, before Matthew Dawes was caught by Cameron Burrows off Hudson's bowling to leave Sonning reeling at 19 for 3.

Luke Buchel was the chief destroyer with the ball, returning the outstanding figures of 4 for 5 from five overs with a maiden. The left-armer was virtually unplayable through the middle and lower order, dismissing Alastair Parkes (1), Yusuf Malik (0), Shahbaz Ali (1) and Aahaan Sharma (6) as Sonning's batsmen found no answer to his accuracy. Balasubramanian complemented him superbly at the other end, finishing with 2 for 9 from five overs, including a maiden of his own.

Captain Arun Raghavendra top-scored for Sonning with 8 from 11 balls, including one boundary, but was bowled by Burrows as the middle order subsided. Arnav Duvvuri contributed 5 before being trapped lbw by Balasubramanian, and the only other batsman to offer resistance was Sharma, whose 6 from 13 balls at number ten included a boundary and briefly delayed the inevitable. Burrows wrapped up the tail with 2 for 15, including the catch of Neel Kumar behind by wicketkeeper Arin Kulkarni, as Sonning were dismissed in just 18.4 overs.

Chasing a paltry 50, Wokingham made no mistake. Jason Stotesbury launched an aggressive assault from the very first over, smashing six fours in a blistering 30 from just 20 deliveries. He put on 34 for the opening wicket with Kulkarni before Shahbaz Ali eventually bowled him to claim Sonning's sole breakthrough.

Kulkarni (8 not out) and Yajat Kothari (8 not out) saw the hosts home without further alarm, reaching the target in just 7.3 overs. Shahbaz Ali's figures of 1 for 15 from three overs represented the only bright spot for Sonning with the ball, while Arnav Duvvuri (0-12 from one over) and Neel Kumar (0-12 from two overs) were punished by the aggressive Stotesbury.

It was a day to forget for Arun Raghavendra's side, who collected no points from the fixture. With no batsman reaching double figures and the total representing one of the lowest of the season, Sonning's 4th XI will need to regroup quickly for their next league assignment.