U13 Scorchers v Maidenhead & Bray Under 13's Stags

Scorchers Undone by Clinical Maidenhead Chase Despite Vedalankar's Brilliant 42

Sonning U13 Scorchers were eliminated from the Under 13 Blast Play-Offs as Maidenhead & Bray chased down a target of 95 with eight wickets in hand and ten overs to spare at Goosecroft on Friday.

After losing the toss and being inserted on their home ground, the Scorchers found themselves in early difficulty. George Rothermel struck a brisk 13 from 12 balls, including a four and a six, but was bowled by opposition captain Mike Brown with the score on 16. Skipper Arnav Duvvuri lasted just five deliveries, edging Harry Rusher to George Denning at 21 for 2, and the hosts were in real trouble.

What followed was the standout passage of play in the Sonning innings. Shubh Vedalankar joined wicketkeeper Joseph Dowse and the pair constructed a crucial third-wicket partnership of 47 runs. Vedalankar was magnificent, striking six fours and a six in a commanding knock of 42 from 31 balls that gave the Scorchers' innings its backbone. Dowse contributed a patient 13 from 21 balls at the other end before falling bowled to Mohammed Nalwala with the score on 68.

The middle and lower order, however, could not build on the platform. From 68 for 3, Sonning collapsed alarmingly, losing their last seven wickets for just 26 runs. Nalwala was the chief destroyer, returning exceptional figures of 4-5 from three overs, including a maiden, to rip through the tail. Vivan Sharma chipped in with 2-14 from his three overs, accounting for Jamie Dollinger — caught and bowled — and having Sibikumar Muthukumaran stumped by Benjamin Hinkel. Vedalankar's run out by Hinkel with the score on 81 effectively ended any hope of a competitive total, and the Scorchers were bowled out for 94 in 16 overs.

The response from Maidenhead & Bray was emphatic. Sharma and Hinkel put on 21 for the first wicket before Sharma was caught by Dowse off the bowling of Duvvuri for 14. Hinkel continued to 10 before falling in similar fashion — caught by Saurav Sivaram off Eshan Wang-Kumar — at 47 for 2. Those were the only breakthroughs the Scorchers could manage.

Harry Rusher and George Denning then took the game away from the home side with an unbroken third-wicket stand of 50. Denning was particularly destructive, smashing five fours and a six in an unbeaten 30 from just 14 deliveries. Rusher provided the anchor with an unbeaten 19 from 20 balls, striking three fours of his own. The target was reached in just ten overs, giving Maidenhead & Bray a comprehensive victory.

The Scorchers' bowling struggled for consistency in the chase, conceding 24 extras — including 15 wides and six no-balls. Henry Bright's two overs cost 31 runs, while Tejus Maddi conceded 16 from his two overs with seven wides. Only Duvvuri offered sustained control, taking 1-11 from 2.2 overs. It was a disappointing end to the cup campaign for Sonning, whose play-off hopes rested heavily on Vedalankar's innings but ultimately fell short in all three departments.