1st XI vs Harpsden

Harpsden Claim Victory as Sonning Falter After Promising Partnerships

Sonning's 1st XI suffered a defeat at the hands of Harpsden in their Division 2B league clash, falling short despite some spirited middle-order resistance. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Sonning were bowled out for just 124 runs in 22.1 overs, a target which Harpsden chased down comfortably with six wickets in hand.

The home side's innings began disastrously with captain Peter Dean departing for a duck, trapped lbw by Johnny Wright. Sonning's top order struggled against Harpsden's disciplined bowling, collapsing to 50-6 with Bobby Malik and Dion Laban-Jeffries also failing to trouble the scorers. Louis Dean provided brief resistance with 23 runs from 23 balls, including four boundaries, before falling to Zac Jones with the score at 46.

The middle order pairing of Indeveer Sahota and Oliver Rowe mounted a recovery with a crucial 57-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Sahota was the standout batsman for Sonning, striking seven boundaries in his 35 runs from 35 balls, while Rowe contributed a valuable 27 before Zac Jones claimed his fourth wicket. Their recovery proved short-lived as Sonning's final three wickets fell for just 17 runs.

Jones was the chief destroyer for Harpsden with 4-56, while Wright provided excellent support with 3-49. The visitors' bowling was hampered by 32 extras, including 26 wides, which constituted the second-highest contribution to Sonning's total after Sahota's innings.

In reply, Harpsden began positively with Zac Jones striking six boundaries in his 28 before Daniel Longridge had him caught by Dion Laban-Jeffries with the score at 44. Adam Birkett (9) followed shortly after, caught behind off Oliver Rowe's bowling, but Duncan Verry anchored the innings with a composed unbeaten 53 featuring eight boundaries.

Sonning's bowlers maintained discipline throughout, with Bobby Malik delivering an impressive spell of 7-0-10-0 including four maidens. Ella Phillips also bowled a tidy spell, claiming the wicket of Johnny Wright while conceding just 12 runs from her five overs, which included two maidens. Daniel Longridge picked up two wickets but Harpsden reached their target in 31.2 overs, finishing on 121-4.

The result leaves Sonning with a challenging end to their season, unable to convert the fighting spirit shown by Sahota and Rowe into a victory. For Harpsden, Duncan Verry's unbeaten half-century proved decisive in securing a comfortable win and the full 22 league points.