U11 Scorchers v Henley Under 11 Cougars

Scorchers Bowlers Fight Hard but Batting Collapse Proves Costly at Coppid Hall

Sonning U11 Scorchers were bowled out for 53 before their bowlers mounted an impressive fightback, but Henley's Wilfred Oseman guided the hosts home with an unbeaten 21 to seal victory in this BYCL Under 11 T20 Blast West fixture at Prestcold CC on Friday evening.

Having won the toss and inserted Sonning, Henley's decision to bowl first was quickly vindicated. Alexander Hatchett-Walker struck an early boundary but was run out for 4 with the score on 8, and Arthur Teed fell for a duck in the next over, bowled by the impressive Matthew Bollinghaus. At 9 for 2, the Scorchers were already under pressure, and when Seve Horton was run out for 1, the visitors found themselves 17 for 3 with the top order in tatters.

Lewis Towner provided the only real resistance with the bat, compiling a patient 13 from 26 deliveries including two well-struck boundaries. His partnership of 22 with Jovan Purwaha steadied the innings and took the score from 17 to 39, offering brief hope of a competitive total. Bollinghaus eventually broke through, dismissing Towner caught to finish with outstanding figures of 2 for 2 from his two overs, including a maiden.

The wicket of Towner triggered a dramatic collapse. Toby Wood bowled Jude Alden and Jasper Hawkins in quick succession to claim two wickets for no runs in a maiden over, and the score remained stuck on 39 for three consecutive wickets. Purwaha battled through 45 deliveries for his 2 runs, showing admirable determination, but when Rory Fitzgerald finally removed him, the innings unravelled completely. Ahmad Syed then tore through the tail, taking 3 for 4 to wrap up the Sonning innings at 53 all out in 17.4 overs. The extras column of 33 — including 18 no-balls — suggested both sides struggled with discipline, but the Scorchers simply could not capitalise.

Captain Leo Ribbens and his bowlers had other ideas, however, and the Sonning attack made Henley work hard for every run in the chase. Jude Alden struck first, bowling Owen Ashton for 6 with the score on 10. Anay Patel then produced a devastating spell, removing Rory Fitzgerald and Nathanael O'Hare in the same over to reduce Henley to 17 for 3.

Jessica Hawkins delivered the standout bowling performance of the evening, claiming 2 for 0 from a maiden over. She had Oscar Keeling caught for 5 and then bowled Jack Saker for a duck as Henley slumped to 17 for 5, suddenly in deep trouble chasing what had seemed a modest target. Jasper Hawkins added another scalp, having Ahmad Syed caught for 2, and at 30 for 6 the match hung in the balance.

Oseman, though, proved the difference. Coming in at number seven, the Henley batter struck four boundaries in a fluent unbeaten 21 from 21 balls, taking the game away from Sonning with confident stroke play. Alongside captain Seb Lavers, who contributed a watchful 1 not out, Oseman guided Henley past the target in just 10.4 overs. Despite picking up 4 bonus points — including 3 bowling bonus points reflecting their spirited efforts in the field — the Scorchers were left to rue a batting display that never built sufficient momentum against a disciplined Henley attack.