Reading lose to Sonning in recent friendly

Reading played this friendly match against local rivals Sonning on the Wednesday of the half term break. Reading won the toss and opted to bowl. A good opening spell from Fergus and Sam kept the first pair under pressure. At the end of the 4th over Sonning had added only 13 runs for the loss of 2 wickets meaning a net score of 203 (There was one runout as well as Sam having Sonning opener Salman bowled). Reading bowled and fielded well with further wickets for Ashman and Ajmal (both bowled). Zain bowled well to earn a further wicket (bowled), as well as a run out in the final over. All the bowlers and fielders did well to restrict a good Sonning side to 276 -6.
The Reading reply started well with Fergus and Aarav enjoying a productive partnership scoring 47 runs in their 4 overs for the loss of 2 wickets – a net score of 237-2. Sam and Ajmal took the score onto 248 – 4 (21 runs for 2 wickets). At this stage we looked well set needing only a further 25 runs off our remaining 16 overs. However, very good Sonning fielding and bowling led to regular Reading wickets. This meant we went into the last 4 overs on 189-17 needing an unlikely 84 to win. Fergus and Ezra gave it a good go but at the end of the innings Reading finished on 212- 19.
This was a really good learning experience for the Reading team . there were lots of players only playing their 1st or 2nd game of hard ball cricket. Fielding and bowling was very good, but there will need to be lots of work on running between the wickets (we were run out 7 times) and on the forward defensive (10 wickets out bowled). Having said all this, all played with enthusiasm and great team spirit which augurs well for the future.
Thanks go to Ben (Ezra's dad) for umpiring.