Wargrave 3s vs Sonning 3s

On a damp a drizzly Saturday afternoon, Wagrave 3s took on their close neighbours Sonning 3s. Whilst the game was a Wagrave home fixture, it was hosted by Sonning at Reading Blue Coat School, as Knowl Hill was deemed “unplayable”. Blame has been placed solely on the groundsman’s shoulders, sort it out James. Luckily any sign of rain had cleared by the time skipper S.Walker hopped, skipped and jumped his way out for the toss. Sonning won and elected to bat. As will become evident, I think they had somewhere else to be that day. As did a number of the Wargrave side... the bar by 4 preferably. This match report has required quite a bit of padding.

Wargrave opened up with the dream seam team of J.Warren (26-4) and F.Lanch (0-30). A brilliant combination of a talented young swing bowler who matched youthful exuberance with full pitched beautiful away swinging lines of Warren and the, ‘if you hit me for four I will key your car’ aggressive short stuff from Lanch. A thing of beauty. Warren ripped through Sonning’s top 4, despite having a run up that looped around from extra cover, and was incredibly unlucky to not take a 5-for (dont worry, I will get to you Kevin) in his 6 over spell. Lanch on the other hand, was incredibly unlucky not to take a wicket his bowling and effort deserved during his 7 overs, but alas it was not to be. Fact of the day; Lanch’s 3rd over alone accounted for 20.45% of Sonning’s entire total.

Right, where to begin... Remember, when I mention J.Warren being unlucky to not have a 5-for, do you know who dropped a sitter at 2nd slip? Kevin. Do you know who benefited to end with a 5-for himself? Kevin (5-12). Call the cops, because a burglary took place on Saturday. Oh, and to top all of that he had the audacity to celebrate like Flintoff against the Aussies after getting him out. Somehow, he left the field patting himself on the back with the exemplary way he conducted himself on the playing field. Beaming with pride was old Kevin. Pathetic. Sonning 88 all out.

Wargrave made an easy effort of the run chase, reaching it without the fall of wicket... only joking H.Thomas went and got himself a second ball duck. Excellent effort by the senior opening batsmen. Luckily James Moss arrived, just as Thomas fell, with that glint in his eye of a shark who has spotted a dying seal, to helpfully raise Thomas’ morale with some helpful and supportive comments to ensure he would be of the right frame on mind in his next innings.

Luckily S.Warren (22 or 21, potentially even 26?, scorebook’s a state) wasn't phased by the lack of composure shown by his opening partner and batted well in difficult conditions to ensure that there wouldn't be a worry of a collapse at the top of the order. He was joined at 3 by J.Newton (37*), who was the star of Wargrave’s innings, batted with the calmness greater than someone of his age should have. After S.Warren fell, skipper S.Walker (21*) ensured he got his money’s worth and went in to bat at 4. The skipper thrilled the crowd, at one point facing 13 dot balls in a row, but got the job done with young Newton, Wargrave 89-2. Job Done.

To make a change...

Man Of The Match: Joe Warren*. Very well bowled young man.

*Unfortunately minors cannot accept MOTM awards, therefor F.Lanch will take his place as the official winner and accept the award. Well played sir.