Skipper’s impressive all-round display not enough for Unicorns

ELMHURST ran out winners at CHECKENDON in a 35-over clash where they dismissed the hosts for 133. Harmeet Singh hit 25 at a run a ball, batting at number 10 to give the home side a chance after an earlier collapse.

Despite Sathia Jobe bowling a five-over spell in which no runs came from the bat, Elmhurst were well served by opener Haris Khan, who reached 53 in 78 balls before retiring, and stylish middle order batsman John Wolfe, who stroked 51 in 49 balls, as they reached their target for the loss of four wickets in the 27th over.

HURLEY went down to defeat in their away clash at SONNING. The visitors won the toss and opted to bat first with opening pair Clive Williams and Ravi Singh putting on 39 before Williams (11) had his stumps rearranged by Neil Jasti. Ravi was joined by Haider-Ali Baig who raced to his half century off 35 balls. Ravi (34) fell to Robert Jones with the score on 61. Apart from Joban Singh (47) none of the other Hurley batters made much of an impact as the innings petered out to a below par 204 in the 38th over.

Sonning suffered an early setback losing Zain (8) and skipper Richard Skeil (12) to slump to 22-2. The Jones brothers, Robert (94) and Edward (25) put together a partnership of 74 for the third wicket to swing the match in favour of Sonning.

The Hurley bowlers struggled to bowl a consistent line and length and Ajmal Ali was withdrawn from the attack after conceding 36 from four overs. Skipper Basharat brought himself on and managed to break the partnership, having Edward caught by Ravi. By the time Alex Mcloughlin (31) was bowled by Ravi, Sonning were well on their way to victory. Ali Driver made 9 from 39 balls as Robert Jones scored more freely. Jones was denied a century, finishing on 94 not out as Aahaan Sharma scored two boundaries to seal the victory with 21 deliveries to spare.

PEPPARD STOKE ROW UNICORNS’ Nick Murdoch impressed with bat and ball yet could not get his team over the line as his wait for a maiden Sunday victory as captain continued following a 10-run loss at home to TWYFORD AND RUSCOMBE.

On a hot afternoon Murdoch chose to bowl with Harry Harper battling illness claiming 2-32 in a seven-over slog while Kimber (2-41) proved inconsistent yet occasionally effective as Twyford reached 79-4.

Manan Narula (44) played well until bowled by Ollie Williams (2-21), spin twin Murdoch taking 3-37 at the other end as the visitors ended on 196 — helped on their way by 41 extras.

The Peppard Stoke Row reply started poorly as four wickets fell early, Fergus Nutt and Murdoch restoring order until the former gloved a Harry Leggett bouncer behind.

From 63-5 and with victory seeming a long way away, Murdoch dominated a 95-run stand with Williams, his knock only ended on 78 as he swept a ball straight to short fine leg.

Nav Ahmed was trapped lbw, a fate then followed by Richard Ashton, and with just 11 required, Williams’s stoic resistance was ended as he was stumped off Luke Leggett as the Unicorns were dismissed for 186.

U15 Lucas Hambleton bowled an outstanding spell in PEPPARD STOKE ROW RAJPUTS’ 120-run Sunday reverse at home to OXENFORD.

The seamer claimed 3-25 from his five overs against a strong visiting side who racked up 232-7 in their 35 overs. The home side’s reply never got going, but there was a top score for U13 Angus Harvey (24) who helped his side end on 112 on his senior debut.

Kyle Tappan scored his maiden century as MORETON beat STONOR by 122 runs.

The South African showman and his fellow opener Jamie Noble both recorded their first three-figure efforts before retiring for the hosts, who piled on 294-2 in their 35 overs.

Noel Williams made 78 not out for Stonor in reply, but Will Macdonald (3-24) led the bowling effort as they were dismissed for 172.