4th XI vs Wraysbury

Sonning 4th XI Fall Short in Spirited Run Chase Against Wraysbury

Sonning 4th XI suffered a 43-run defeat to Wraysbury 4th XI at Waingels College on Saturday in their Thames Valley Cricket League Division 10A fixture. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Wraysbury posted a challenging 178-9 from their 32 overs before restricting the hosts to 135-9 in reply.

Wraysbury's innings was built around a brisk 47 from Parmjit Bajwa, who struck seven boundaries and two sixes in his 36-ball knock. Opening alongside Veron Wadhwa (22), Bajwa helped establish a solid 71-run first-wicket partnership that set the platform for the visitors. Owen Davies (23) and Urfan Ahmed (31) made valuable middle-order contributions to keep the scoreboard moving.

Sonning's Syed Adnan was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3-26 from his four overs, including the crucial wickets of Wraysbury captain Iffy Wain and Damandeep Singh in quick succession. Young Ethan Towner picked up 2-38, while Joe Donohue and captain Kabir Dave chipped in with a wicket apiece. Two run-outs, both involving Paul Towner in the field, further boosted Sonning's effort as they restricted Wraysbury's total.

Chasing 179 for victory, Sonning's innings began disastrously when Paul Towner was dismissed by Wraysbury skipper Wain with the very first ball. Nathan Tweed (9) and Robert Ray (6) fell quickly to Damandeep Singh, leaving the home side struggling at 19-3. Sagar Dave steadied the innings with a patient 35 from 59 deliveries, forming a crucial 32-run partnership with wicketkeeper Ollie Terry (6).

After Dave's dismissal, Ethan Towner injected some momentum with a quickfire 27 that included three boundaries and a six. Captain Kabir Dave remained unbeaten on 28, but lacked substantial support as Damandeep Singh (4-8) tore through Sonning's lower order with a masterful seven-over spell that included three maidens.

Mustafa Ahmed supported well with 2-21, while Urfan Ahmed claimed 2-17, including the important wicket of Ethan Towner, who was stumped by wicketkeeper Mustafa Ahmed after threatening to change the game's momentum. The home side ultimately finished on 135-9, with Kabir Dave and Isaac Blakey at the crease as their overs ran out.

The result saw Wraysbury claim a well-deserved 22 points, while Sonning collected nine bonus points for their bowling and batting performances. Damandeep Singh's exceptional figures of 4-8 from seven overs proved the decisive factor in a match where Sonning fought hard but ultimately couldn't match Wraysbury's all-round performance.