Peppard Stoke Row win revives promotion hopes

HENLEY 2nds and READING were forced to settle for a share of the points after persistent rain abandoned their match at the Brakspear Ground on Saturday.

Henley won the toss and elected to field first under overcast skies, a decision that looked inspired as their bowlers made early inroads into Reading’s batting line-up. Reading fought back through a gritty middle-order performance to post a competitive 217 all out in 49.2 overs.

Opening the innings, Pav Chima anchored the early stages with a patient 20 off 74 balls before being caught and bowled by Euan Brock. His partner Shayaan Ahmed fell cheaply for 1, caught by Will Hammersley off Simon Wheeler.

Salman Khalid provided a brief spark with 11 off 13 deliveries, including two boundaries, but was caught by Adam Lubbock off Jon Denning.

The innings found momentum through Praful Waghela’s 76 from 97 balls, laced with eight fours, before he was caught by Wheeler off Denning. Firaz Amjad supported with a solid 46 but once he departed — caught by Hammersley off Sahil Desai — Reading’s tail failed to wag as Aditya Srinivasan was the last man out as the innings closed at 217, having at one stage been 188-3.

Henley’s attack was led by an outstanding spell from Desai, who claimed 6-26 in 6.2 overs, including the key wickets of Amjad, Wood, Amardeep Dosanjh (0) and Tariq. Simon Wheeler was miserly with 1-14 from seven overs, including two maidens, while Jon Denning picked up 2-46 and Brock 1-42.

In reply, Henley made a steady start, reaching 3-0 after just 1.4 overs. But with dark clouds gathering, umpires called time as the heavens opened and no further play was possible despite efforts to resume. This was one of three matches in the division that was abandoned.

Basement side WARGRAVE 2nds had bowled visitors FINCHAMPSTEAD 2nds out for 128. In reply Wargrave put on 21-3 before rain stopped play.

KIDMORE END’S home clash with COVE never saw a ball bowled at Gallowstree Common.

PEPPARD STOKE ROW reignited a tiny glimpse of Division 3A promotion glory as they beat the rain and hosts READING 2nds in a seven-wicket smash-and-grab success at Sonning Lane.

After their chaotic collapse against Theale and Tilehurst the week before left Peppard Stoke Row needing a miracle for a top-two finish, they were given the tiniest of lifelines after already-relegated Reading elected to bat.

Two early Scott Harris (2-34) wickets helped the away side get their tails up, Ollie Williams then having Paarth Ningoo (41) caught by Rudi Derbyshire to make it 64-3.

Home captain Chaminda Alocious led a counter-attack, but U19 Aryan Khanna continued his stunning return to action with a mesmerising spell of leg-spin.

Khanna (4-18) proved a class apart as he ran through the middle and lower order, fellow spinner claiming Adi Hector (2-5) before fitness fanatic Derbyshire ended the Reading innings on 111.

Rain was realistically the only thing which would stop Peppard Stoke Row from taking the spoils but Hector (44 from 27 balls) was in no mood to let the elements take hold until he was run out by a brilliant direct hit from Samarth Manu.

Captain Owen Simmons (41 not out from 24) and Kyle Tappan continued the charge, Peppard Stoke Row chasing their target down in just 12 overs before the heavens opened.

With all other games at the top of the table abandoned, Peppard Stoke Row now sit 16 points behind second-placed Purley ahead of their head-to-head tomorrow (Saturday).

HARPSDEN’S home clash with HURST was eventually abandoned, but not until the visitors had been dismissed for 120 and the hosts had replied with 19-1 before rain stopped play. Matthew Stanley, Zac Jones and Stefan Franklin all took three wickets each for Harpsden.

In Division 4A, WARGRAVE 3rds’ clash at BINFIELD 2nds was abandoned without a ball being bowled while in Division 4B KIDMORE END 2nds’ visit to BRACKNELL UNITED 2nds was eventually abandoned with the hosts on 263-3.

GORING’S trip to ALDERSHOT 2nds in Division 5A was eventually abandoned but not until the visitors had put on 209-7 and the hosts had replied with 45-3. Sixteen-year-old Joe Richards had top scored for the visitors with his maiden first team century as he hit 107 from 114 deliveries which included 16 fours.

HENLEY 3rds put on 223-5 in their home clash with PINKNEYS GREEN before the match was abandoned due to rain.