Sunday As vs Bracknell

Hibberdine Leads Sonning to Victory with Match-Defining Half-Century

Sonning Sunday As secured a 33-run victory over Bracknell at King George's Field, with captain William Hibberdine's commanding 60 proving the difference between the two sides. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Sonning posted a challenging 217-8 from their allotted 40 overs.

After losing David Field early for just 8, young Aarav Tanguturi (37) showed impressive patience, facing 58 deliveries and forming a match-defining 87-run partnership with Hibberdine. The Sonning captain struck nine boundaries in his fluent 52-ball innings, taking control of the middle overs before falling to Nik with the score at 119.

Shenul Widanapathirana (29) and Mark Lilley (30) maintained the momentum with a 62-run stand for the fourth wicket, helping Sonning push toward a competitive total. Despite Bracknell captain K Khan claiming 4-46 from his eight overs in a fine bowling display, Sonning's lower order contributed valuable runs to reach 217.

Bracknell's reply began ominously when U Bari (13) fell to Isaac Blakey with just 18 runs on the board. G Sharma offered resistance with a well-crafted 33, but Bracknell struggled to build partnerships as Gus Cloete (2-15) removed both Sharma and K Gaikwad with precise bowling.

At 68-5, Bracknell appeared headed for a heavy defeat before captain K Khan launched a counterattack, striking seven boundaries in his aggressive 34. Khan and Nik (12) combined for a 76-run sixth-wicket partnership that briefly threatened Sonning's control of the match.

Shenul Widanapathirana made the crucial breakthrough, having Khan caught by Kyle Deller-Law. Mark Lilley then produced a decisive spell, claiming 2-3 from his two overs as Bracknell's resistance crumbled. Manu Maddi finished with the best figures for Sonning, taking 3-27 from 6.5 overs, including the final wicket of Gyan Patel (15) who fell in unusual fashion – hit wicket.

Despite a valiant effort from the Bracknell lower order, who contributed 53 extras to boost their total, they were dismissed for 184 in the 37th over. The 33-run margin of victory reflected Sonning's superior batting depth and disciplined bowling attack, with seven different bowlers claiming wickets in a true team performance.