Sunday 1s v Binfield Friendly XI

Fitton's Classy 62 Not Enough as Sonning Fall Short Against Binfield

Sonning's Sunday 1s suffered a frustrating defeat at King George's Field as Binfield chased down 194 with four wickets in hand and four balls to spare. Captain Richard Skeil won the toss and elected to bat on a good surface, but despite a fine half-century from Jacob Fitton, Sonning were unable to defend their total in this friendly fixture.

The Sonning innings got off to a shaky start when Charles Astwood was caught behind off Harry Short for just 4, bringing the score to 6-1. Robert Jones counterattacked impressively, striking four boundaries in a rapid 20 from 14 balls, but his dismissal — also to Short — and William Travers' patient but ultimately fruitless stay of 5 from 20 deliveries left Sonning wobbling at 58-3.

It was the partnership between Fitton and Kishan Akula that rescued the innings and gave it real substance. The pair added 84 for the fourth wicket, with Akula playing the aggressor, cracking seven fours in his 36 from 39 balls. Fitton anchored proceedings with composure, accumulating runs steadily and punishing anything loose. When Akula fell to Mat Kings with the score on 142, Fitton had reached 59 and the platform was set for a late acceleration.

Fitton eventually departed for a well-crafted 62 from 84 balls, caught by Jacob Whiddett off his own bowling, with the total on 169. Neil Jasti contributed a useful 22 from 25 balls and skipper Skeil added a quick-fire 11, including a six, but the lower order could not capitalise further. Ollie Braiser was the pick of the Binfield attack, returning excellent figures of 3-24 from seven overs with two maidens, while Mitesh Patel chipped in with 2-11 from his two overs to wrap up the tail. Sonning were bowled out for 193 in 36 overs.

Binfield's reply began steadily before Isaac Jenner bowled Mitesh Patel for a duck to make it 20-2. Jacob Whiddett had looked threatening with 23 from 30 balls before Kishan Akula had him caught by Fitton, and at 54-3 Sonning sensed an opportunity. However, Will Kings proved immovable at number four, building partnerships with calm authority. He put on 44 with Mat Kings (23) and a further 39 with Carter Daines (26), taking the game steadily away from Sonning.

Fitton provided the most economical option with the ball, his six overs yielding 2-18 with two maidens, including the wickets of Daines and Harry Short. Robert Jones and Ethan Towner each claimed a scalp, and all six Sonning bowlers used managed to create some pressure at times. A costly 35 extras in the Binfield innings, however — including 23 byes — ultimately proved damaging, easing the visitors' path to their target.

Will Kings finished unbeaten on 62 from 76 balls, hitting ten fours in a composed knock that was the cornerstone of Binfield's chase. Ollie Braiser supplied the finishing blows with an unbeaten 18, steering his side to 197-6 in 35.2 overs. Despite Fitton's all-round contribution of 62 runs and 2-18, Sonning were left to rue their inability to take regular wickets during the middle overs of the Binfield reply.