Shokeen’s speedy century puts Tilehurst to sword

GREYS GREEN ran out four-wicket winners in their derby clash at STONOR in a 35 overs a side clash.

Stonor, batting first, got off to a flying start as their openers took a liking to the Greys new ball attack and took the score to 60 without too much trouble. A change of bowling brought rewards when Singh had Symonds caught behind by Skilleter for 32.

The real difference came when Greys took the pace off the ball with Skilleter, swapping his gloves to bowl leg-breaks, in tandem with Rowan-Hull. Wickets now fell at regular intervals as they worked their way through the Stonor batting.

Opener Farr was dismissed for 30, Earl for 13 and Clarke for 15 as Skilleter took 3-17 and Rowan-Hill 2-18. Singh also chipped in with 2-22. By the end of their 35 overs Stonor had reached 126-9.

Against tight bowling Greys began cautiously, losing two early wickets. A fine stand of 51 between Shafqat, who made 17, and Gurvinder, 47, got the innings back on track before two quick wickets fell. Skilleter chipped in with 12 but when he was out and Singh’s innings came to an end the match was once again finely poised.

Seasoned campaigners Ahmed and Jenkins saw Greys through to victory with just under two overs to spare. Stonor used seven bowlers in total.

James Howes (6-20) took an incredible maiden five-wicket haul as PEPPARD STOKE ROW RAJPUTS overcame visitors HENLEY VULTURES by 29 runs.

Father-and-son duo Murray and Scott Reyburn gave the home side a fine start as they shared 41 for the wicket, only for a middle-order collapse to leave Rajputs on 53-4.

U15 Sam Franklin (57 retired) and age group colleague Harry Lotery redressed the ship, and with the latter’s father, skipper Adam (22 retired), adding some late impetus, the home side ended their 35 overs on 182.

A trio of sensational catches from U15 trio Franklin, at first slip, Archie Howes and Scott Reynurn, reduced the Vultures to 19-3 before Michael Ziegler (42) and Murray Hughes (47) had their side well on course for victory.

Off-spinner Howes weaved his magic as Henley capitulated before eventually being dismissed for 152.

Visitors TILEHURST put on 210-8 in their 35-over match at CHECKENDON. Harish Bakka, a regular with Checkendon 2ndS, top scored with 47 not out in only 27 balls. Darshan Jain took 4-36 for the home side.

Checkendon then eased to victory by seven wickets, thanks to a 61-ball century from Pradeep Shokeen, who hit six sixes and 13 fours. Normal number 11 Prashant Singh was promoted in the order and hit 40 not out, while Ravi Srinivas hit three sixes to finish undefeated on 30.