1st XI vs Aldershot

Higginbottom's Final Spell Secures Victory for Sonning in Season Finale

Sonning 1st XI concluded their Division 2B campaign with a comfortable 55-run victory over Aldershot at King George's Field on Saturday. Captain Peter Higginbottom led from the front with a decisive three-wicket spell that dismantled Aldershot's lower order after Oliver Rowe's half-century had set up a challenging target.

After being inserted by the visitors, Sonning endured a shaky start, losing both Higginbottom (1) and Connor Wardlaw (13) with just 31 runs on the board. Rowe steadied the innings with a well-constructed 52 from 58 deliveries, including four sixes, forming a crucial 69-run partnership with Zanoxolo Gift Kwatsha (27). Sam Haselgrove provided late impetus with an unbeaten 36, while Bobby Malik contributed a valuable 21 not out in the closing overs to lift Sonning to 222-9 from their allotted 50 overs.

Aldershot's bowling attack shared the wickets, with Amir Hameed, Jamie Grover, Sourav Singh Pela, and Alex Farr each claiming two wickets. Farr's double strike removed the dangerous Robert Jones and Rob Mosely in quick succession, briefly threatening to derail Sonning's innings before Haselgrove's rear-guard action.

In response, Aldershot struggled against Sonning's disciplined bowling attack. Adil Malik struck early, removing both openers Alex Farr (13) and Marc Davies (15) to reduce the visitors to 43-2. Zanoxolo Gift Kwatsha then claimed the wickets of Ben Ellerington and Tom Dickson in quick succession, leaving Aldershot precariously placed at 70-4.

Ben Harris provided stubborn resistance with a counter-attacking 63 from just 54 deliveries, including three sixes, but Bobby Malik's removal of the Aldershot dangerman proved the turning point. Captain Higginbottom then stepped up with a decisive spell, claiming 3-17 from his four overs to clean up the tail as Aldershot were dismissed for 167 in the 37th over, giving Sonning a comprehensive victory to end their league campaign.