4th XI vs Cookham Dean

Sonning 4th XI Triumph in Bowling Masterclass at Odney Club

Sonning 4th XI secured an impressive seven-wicket victory against Cookham Dean in their Division 10A fixture at the Odney Club on Saturday. Captain Kabir Dave's decision to field first after winning the toss proved instrumental as Sonning's bowlers dismantled the home side for just 95 runs.

The visitors' bowling attack shared the spoils evenly with Toby Fitton, Isaac Blakey, and Joe Donohue all claiming three wickets apiece. Fitton was particularly economical, conceding just 18 runs from his eight overs while maintaining four maidens. Blakey's 3-17 and Donohue's 3-12 ensured Cookham Dean struggled to build momentum throughout their innings.

Cookham Dean's innings began cautiously with Joel Joseph Simon and captain Bipin Patel at the crease. However, Sonning struck early when Fitton dismissed Simon for 6. The procession of wickets continued as Cookham Dean slumped to 53-7, with only James Taylor reaching double figures among the top order with a brisk 13 off 17 deliveries including three boundaries.

The home side's innings was salvaged somewhat by a determined ninth-wicket partnership of 40 runs between Jesal Kulhar (16) and Anil Kulhar (14), which pushed the total towards respectability. Dave eventually broke the stand by trapping Jesal lbw before Donohue wrapped up the innings by bowling Anil, leaving Cookham Dean all out for 95 in the 33rd over.

In response, Sonning's Stephen Jones anchored the chase with a composed unbeaten 54, showcasing excellent technique during his 84-ball stay at the crease. Despite losing Nathan Tweed (5), Robert Ray (2), and Freddie Shaw (0) to Josh Duckworth, who finished with figures of 3-28, Jones remained unflustered.

Captain Dave joined Jones at 26-3 and ensured there would be no further alarms with a confident unbeaten 29 from 36 deliveries, including three fours and one six. The pair put on an unbroken 71-run partnership to guide Sonning home in the 24th over with seven wickets to spare.

Ethan Duckworth was the pick of Cookham Dean's bowlers, delivering a miserly spell of 6-0-5-0 including three maidens, but ultimately the target proved too small to defend as Sonning claimed a comfortable win to boost their position in Division 10A.