3rd XI vs Checkendon

Lott and Shah Partnership Guides Sonning 3rd XI to Convincing Victory

Sonning 3rd XI successfully chased down a target of 169 with five wickets to spare against Checkendon in their Division 8B fixture at Sonning on Saturday. Harrison Lott's composed innings of 62 formed the backbone of Sonning's run chase, which they completed in just 29.2 overs.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Checkendon's innings got off to a disastrous start when Vishal Gupta was caught behind off Asad Imam's bowling without scoring. Imam proved to be the pick of Sonning's bowlers, finishing with impressive figures of 3-21 from his eight overs, including three maidens.

Checkendon recovered through captain Kartik Chitta (19) and Swati Nandan (17), who put on 41 for the second wicket. However, Imam struck again to remove both batsmen, with Hugo Popplewell taking an excellent catch to dismiss Nandan. The visitors struggled to build momentum thereafter, with only Harish Reddy Bakka (34) and Sourabh Sharma (32) making significant contributions.

Tarun Raj Ponsingh matched Imam's wicket tally with 3-47, while Sam Taylor chipped in with 2-25 from his eight overs. A sharp piece of fielding from Rahul Sood resulted in Kunal Mendiratta's run-out, and Sonning's disciplined bowling restricted Checkendon to 168 all out in 39.3 overs.

Sonning's response was led by a dynamic opening partnership between Lott and Hassan Shah. The latter played with characteristic aggression, striking six boundaries and a six in his 31 off just 23 deliveries before being run out with the score on 39. His early assault gave Sonning the perfect platform.

Lott continued to accumulate steadily, finding an able partner in Sood, who contributed a well-crafted 38. Their 58-run partnership for the second wicket effectively broke the back of the chase. Lott's innings, which featured 10 boundaries, eventually came to an end with Sonning in sight of victory, caught off Kunal Mendiratta's bowling for a match-defining 62.

Hugo Popplewell ensured there would be no late drama with a brisk unbeaten 21, including five boundaries, as Sonning reached their target with more than 10 overs remaining. The five-wicket victory sees Sonning claiming the full 22 points, strengthening their position in Division 8B of the Thames Valley Cricket League.