U15 Scorchers v Kidmore End Under 15

Rothermel's Explosive 39 Steers U15 Scorchers to Victory at Kidmore End

Sonning U15 Scorchers produced a superb run chase to overcome Kidmore End in their U15 Performance League Pool 4 fixture on 27 April, chasing down a revised target of 123 in just 12.5 overs thanks to a magnificent knock from George Rothermel.

Kidmore End won the toss and elected to bat first, and it was Sam Robinson who anchored their innings with an unbeaten 44 from 40 balls, striking five fours and a six. Robinson received useful support through the middle overs, putting on 36 for the second wicket with Harry Devanny (12) and 33 for the fourth wicket with Sumay Minnaar. Captain Ethan De Savoye contributed 13 from 26 deliveries before falling caught by Jack Durrant off the bowling of Kishan Akula.

Neil Jasti was the standout bowler for the Scorchers, returning outstanding figures of 3-7 from his two overs, dismissing Minnaar, Theo Pawley and Harry Turnbull to put the brakes on the Kidmore End innings. Arnav Duvvuri bowled tidily at the top, claiming the early wicket of Freddie Syms lbw and conceding just 13 runs from three overs, including a maiden. Kishan Akula was equally economical, taking 1-4 from his two overs. However, extras proved costly for Sonning, with 45 in total — including 31 wides — helping Kidmore End post 122 for 6 from their 18 overs.

The Scorchers' reply got off to a steady start as Neil Jasti and Kishan Akula put on 18 for the first wicket before Akula was bowled by Robinson for 4. Jasti and Rothermel then added 22 for the second wicket before Jasti fell caught by Pawley off Freddie Syms for 8, leaving Sonning 40 for 2.

What followed was a dramatic collapse. Marcus Hawkins was run out for 3, and captain Durrant was trapped lbw by De Savoye for a golden duck — both wickets falling at 43 — before Arnav Duvvuri's cameo of 8 from five balls, including a six, ended with another run out at 52 for 5. Through it all, Rothermel stood firm at the other end.

The decisive partnership of the match came between Rothermel and Shreyas Koppole, who added 50 for the sixth wicket to turn the game decisively in Sonning's favour. Rothermel blazed his way to 39 from just 24 balls, crashing five fours and two sixes in an innings of genuine authority. Koppole played an invaluable supporting role, contributing 7 from 17 balls and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Kidmore End's bowling discipline faltered under the pressure, with 33 extras conceded in the innings, including 26 wides.

Koppole's run out at 102 brought Rothermel's eventual dismissal in the same fashion moments later, but by then the damage was done. The Scorchers reached their target of 102 for 7 from 12.5 overs, completing a convincing victory with more than five overs to spare. Kidmore End wicketkeeper Harry Turnbull was involved in all four run outs, showing sharp work behind the stumps, but it was not enough to deny Sonning the five league points on offer.