Sunday 1s vs Kidmore End

Kidmore End Overhaul Sonning Target with Powerful Batting Display

Kidmore End comfortably chased down Sonning's total of 200 in their Sunday friendly at King George's Field, completing the task with six wickets and 12 overs to spare. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Sonning posted a competitive score but were undone by an impressive batting performance from the visitors.

Sonning captain Charles Astwood led from the front with a well-constructed half-century, reaching 50 from 72 deliveries with six boundaries. His innings provided the backbone of Sonning's effort, building several key partnerships including a valuable 40-run stand with Abhiveer Rawat (12) for the third wicket.

The middle order struggled to maintain momentum with three quick wickets falling, including Kyle Deller-Law departing for a duck. However, Robert Jones provided crucial late impetus with an unbeaten 40 from just 32 balls, striking eight boundaries in a free-flowing innings. He was well supported by Aahaan Sharma (27 not out) as the pair added an unbroken 68 for the eighth wicket, helping Sonning reach 200-7 from their 40 overs.

Ally Stewart was the pick of the Kidmore End bowlers, claiming 3-19 from his four overs, including the key wickets of Astwood, Deller-Law, and William Travers. Patrick Stewart, Matt Donovan, Jake Leach and Jackson Bates each contributed with a wicket apiece.

In response, Kidmore End lost Thomas Wilkinson early when he was caught off Isaac Blakey's bowling for just 6. This brought together George Batty and Prasanna Kirubakaran, who added 39 runs before Kirubakaran fell to Aahaan Sharma for 20, having struck three fours and a six.

The match-defining partnership came between George Batty and Jake Leach, who combined for a devastating 111-run stand for the third wicket. Leach was particularly aggressive, hammering 72 from just 46 deliveries with eight fours and four sixes before finally being caught off Dan Anderson's bowling. Batty played the anchor role superbly, finishing unbeaten on 78 from 75 balls with 11 boundaries.

Daniel Batty briefly joined his brother at the crease but fell for just 1, trapped lbw by Raoul Harding. Matt Donovan (18 not out) then helped George Batty guide Kidmore End to their target of 201 in just 28 overs, securing a comfortable victory for the visitors.