Second Team Win Again

Sonning won the toss against our Second Team and on a hot afternoon with a fast outfield decided to bat. Charlie Greer opened the bowling and conceded just 18 runs from his first seven overs and had removed captain, Peter Dean, for 43. At 146-4 after 30 overs, Sonning were well placed for a total well in excess of 250, but the expected acceleration never came as only 33 runs were scored from the last ten overs. Shelvin Gumbs picked up a couple of late wickets as did Ben Criddle who conceded just one run from his last three overs.

But a target of 239 in 48 overs for victory was one that could produce a number of banana skins on the way. Any nerves were soon put to one side as the opening pair of Adam Partner and Sheridon Gumbs (pictured) raced to 74 in ten overs. When they couldn’t find the boundary, which they did seven times, their running between the wickets was excellent as they took quick singles and turned ones into twos. Shelvin Gumbs joined his brother at the wicket for a fourth wicket partnership of 75 in ten overs. Younger brother Sheridon batted superbly, finally out for eleven short of the century he deserved.

Shelvin scored 38 from his last 19 balls before he topped edged to give a steepling catch to the bowler from the first ball of the thirtieth over. Ben Criddle and Tom Calder then plundered 17 from the rest of the over to bring up a six wicket victory with 18 overs to spare.