2nd XI vs Henley

Sonning Secure Commanding Victory as Khan's Five-Wicket Haul Demolishes Henley

Sonning 2nd XI produced a clinical performance to claim a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Henley 3rd XI in their Division 5B fixture at Nettlebed. After bowling out the hosts for a mere 75 runs, Sonning chased down the target with ease, reaching 79-2 in just 11.4 overs.

The cornerstone of Sonning's dominance was a devastating bowling spell from Aadil Khan, who returned exceptional figures of 5-11 from his seven overs. Khan's control and variation proved too much for the Henley batsmen, with his spell including the crucial wickets of Mehar Ali, Sean Taylor, and Francesca Clarke in quick succession during the middle overs.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Henley struggled from the outset against a disciplined Sonning attack. John Rimmer (2-19) and Ghulam Abbas (1-13) applied early pressure, while Duncan Parr maintained excellent control throughout his spell, conceding just 14 runs from his 7.3 overs while claiming one wicket.

Haider-Ali Baig offered the only significant resistance for Henley, crafting a patient 27 from 69 deliveries before being stumped by Ankit Sharma off Parr's bowling. Luke Loveland contributed 15 at the top of the order, but no other Henley batsman reached double figures as they were dismissed for 75 in 31.3 overs.

Sonning's chase began inauspiciously when captain Robert Mosley was caught by Loveland off Taimoor-Ali Baig's bowling without scoring. However, any hopes of a Henley comeback were swiftly extinguished by Duncan Parr and Raoul Harding, who combined for a match-defining 65-run partnership.

Harding was particularly brutal in his approach, smashing 47 from just 31 deliveries, including six fours and three sixes. His aggressive innings effectively took the game away from Henley before he was finally caught by Loveland off Atharv Gupta's bowling with Sonning within touching distance of victory.

Parr remained unbeaten on 26, seeing his side home alongside Dan Anderson (1 not out) as Sonning completed their run chase in less than 12 overs to secure a convincing victory and valuable points in the Division 5B standings.