4th XI vs Fleet

Naqi's 71 Not Enough as Sonning 4th XI Match Against Fleet Cancelled

Sonning 4th XI's match against Fleet 3rd XI ended in cancellation after both teams had completed their innings at Fleet's ground. Fleet, having won the toss and elected to bat, posted a competitive 218 for 8 from their allotted 40 overs before Sonning responded with 222 for 9 in 38.2 overs.

The home side's innings was anchored by Frans Badenhorst, who top-scored with 48, while Luke Whiting contributed a valuable 39. The pair helped Fleet recover from early wickets, with Gary Whiting (22) and Donovan Coetzer (17) providing useful middle-order runs. Raja-Shahroz Khan led the Sonning bowling attack with figures of 3-48 from his eight overs, while Matthew Dawes picked up 2-28 from four overs.

Aahaan Sharma delivered an economical spell for the visitors, conceding just 17 runs from his eight overs, including three maidens. Isaac Blakey (1-32) and Mike Eaton (1-39) also chipped in with wickets as Sonning restricted Fleet to just over five runs per over.

Sonning's chase was built around an impressive 71 from Syed Naqi, who anchored the innings after captain Charles Astwood departed for 12. Hugo Popplewell fell one short of his half-century, making 49, while the pair established a solid platform for the middle order.

Fleet's bowling attack was led by Faz Mehmood Kahn, who claimed 3-34 from his eight overs, removing both openers and Popplewell. Martin Keats (2-43) and Archie Montgomerie (2-55) also contributed with multiple wickets, while Ronnie Finlayson maintained pressure with an economical 1-30 from his eight overs.

Despite reaching their target with time to spare, the match was officially recorded as cancelled. Sonning's lower order held their nerve in the closing stages, with Raja-Shahroz Khan (17) making a useful contribution before the tail saw them over the line.

The result leaves both teams sharing the points in Division 10A of the Thames Valley Cricket League, with neither side able to claim a victory despite completing what appeared to be a full match.