Under 13s Crowned West Berkshire Champions

Reading powered to an impressive win against Embrook and Bearwood in the the Berkshire West Zone Final to qualify for the County Final. Reading won the toss and elected to bat. Some accurate bowling meant that Reading found it hard to score quickly in the opening overs. Ashwyn did manage to hit a couple of boundaries but was unlucky to be run out for 12 unselfishly trying to increase the run rate by running a quick single. Aarav looked solid and managed to build his score steadily before being stumped on 26 including 4 boundaries. Ajmal and Gaajuran then upped the pace. They survived some good slow bowling from Embrook but then once they had played themselves in cut loose with a series of powerful aggressive shots. Both Ajmal and Gaajuran hit some huge 6s with us losing 2 match balls in the trees. In no time at all both reached 30 and retired. Arjun and Manav came to the crease and formed a solid partnership to keep the momentum going.- Arjun scoring 18 and Manav 22 before both were bowled trying to hit out in the closing overs. Henry came to the crease and hit a lovely shot off his legs for 4 first ball. Raheel also ran a very quick single leaving Reading on a good total of 158 for 5 off their 20 overs.
Ashwyn struck in the very first ball of the Embrook innings to bowl Joe Smart - a dangerous Berkshire batsman. Ashwyn and Raheel continued to bowl a fast accurate spell keeping Embrook under pressure with Raheel having Adi bowled in the 4th over. Despite an impressive and spirited innings by the other Embrook opener Rachel all the Reading bowlers performed well with Gaajuran, Josh (2), Zain, Manav and Arjun all taking wickets. Sam also bowled a good over only conceding 2 runs, and completed a great run out fielding the ball at 3rd man before launching a great throw to hit the stumps directly at the bowlers end. Henry performed well behind the stumps, and good catches were taken by Gaajuran, Josh and Ajmal.
Congratulations to the boys on a good all round team performance with all contributing to a well deserved win. It is a great achievement to reach an under 13 county final with a mainly under 12s side. Thanks also to Srinny and Shreyas for umpiring, and to Jo for organizing the biscuits, squash, watermelon and ice lollies for the innings break
The final is on Sunday 1st July at Reading at 9.30 against Slough