Sunday As vs Greys Green

Dean's Unbeaten 83 Steers Sonning to Comfortable Victory at Greys Green

Sonning Sunday As secured a commanding eight-wicket victory at King George's Field, with Louis Dean's masterful unbeaten 83 proving decisive in their run chase against Greys Green on Sunday afternoon.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Greys Green made a promising start through openers Mohammed Shafqat (41) and Barkat Ahmed (48), who built a solid platform for the home side. However, Michael Longridge led a disciplined Sonning bowling attack, claiming impressive figures of 3-17 from his nine-over spell, which included three maidens.

William Hibberdine provided excellent support with 2-17 from eight overs, including the crucial wicket of Ahmed who had looked set for a half-century. Sonning's bowlers maintained consistent pressure throughout the innings, with Mark Lilley (0-11 from five overs) and Louis Dean (0-10 from five overs) both bowling economical spells that restricted the scoring rate.

Despite their strong start, Greys Green's middle order failed to capitalize, with James Knight (14), Tim Cross (13) and D Asrani (7) all departing without making significant contributions. A disciplined fielding performance by Sonning, including a run out executed by Michael Longridge, saw the hosts restricted to 146-6 from their allotted 43 overs.

In reply, Sonning lost opener James Travers for 20, caught by James Knight off the bowling of Priyank Shah, and Bill Travers for 19, bowled by Luke Jenkins, but these would prove to be Greys Green's only breakthroughs of the innings.

Louis Dean took control of the chase with a commanding display of batting, striking an unbeaten 83 to guide Sonning home. He found reliable support from William Hibberdine, who contributed 14 not out as the pair formed an unbroken partnership that steered the visitors to their target with more than five overs to spare.

The Sonning victory was built on a solid all-round performance, with their bowlers setting up the win through disciplined spells before Dean's batting masterclass completed a comfortable chase. Andrew Rugg was the most economical of the Greys Green bowlers, conceding just 19 runs from his seven overs, but the home side ultimately lacked the firepower to defend their modest total as Sonning reached 150-2 in the 35th over.