Reading 4s continued their good form with their best batting performance of the season last week vs Aldershot 5s and were looking to continue the momentum vs Finch 5s. The opposition had conceded the game in the 1st leg of the season, and they were right to!
Reading 4s lost the toss this week and Finch 5s decided to bat, a strange decision with overcast conditions and a green playing surface, I guess they saw the 384 scored last week and didn’t want to be humiliated!

Aniq and Haseeb started off the bowling, keeping the run rate low and piling pressure on the opening batsmen. Aniq bowled through 6 overs with some very good figures -> 6-1-14-1 (Overs, Maidens, Runs, Wickets). Haseeb kept the pressure on the other end too with 2 spells of bowling finishing with figures 8-0-29-1

Karan and Bilal were the first change and 2 very dangerous bowlers for RCC. Bilal's pace blew the oppo away and Karan kept it tight with some hitting which could have easily been catches on other days. Karan finished with figures of 8-2-30-1. As mentioned, the opposition had no answer for Bilal who was the best bowler of the day with fantastic figures of 8-3-15-3.

Finally, Jibran and Khuram came into the attack with the opposition 69-6 and Jibran getting 7 wickets last week, Finch 5s were under enormous pressure to put a score on the board. However, with Finch 5s struggling with the seam attack, they were comfortable with the spin with Jibran and Khuram both being hit for some big boundaries. Khuram finished his last 2 overs very well after an initial boundary hit 1st over and finishing with figures of 3-0-24-0. Finch 5s had managed to move to 124 before their 7th wicket finally fell with Jibran getting their top scorer out for 47. A very well-played innings from their youngster. A few overs later the other set batsman was finally caught out, again from Jibran who had taken the 2 most important wickets on the 2 batsmen who had managed to put a decent score on the board. With Finch 5s 133-8, their goal now was to get as many runs as possible with the last 2 wickets and a few overs remaining. Jibran finished his overs with figures of 7-0-45-2.

After 40 overs, Finch 5s finished on 150-9 with a run out being the last wicket taken by Reading 4s.

With Reading 4s not chasing much this season, it was a good test to see whether the batsmen could play under pressure, especially with 2 of the top scorers from the week before, Umar 150 and Ash 79* being injured and not available respectively this week.

Vik continued opening the bat for Reading 4s with a new partner this week in Abishiv. Scoring started very quickly with Vik latching onto the bad balls and moving to 31 in 28 deliveries before being caught by a wonderful catch from the bowler. There were no complaints!

Ahmad came in at 3 and with a point to prove with his batting after fielding very well this week. Unfortunately, a half-tracker that didn’t bounce was Ahmad’s downfall this week, nothing much he could have done and out for 3. Graham was in at 4 and continued his good form from last week and was eventually the match-winner scoring a wonderful 57* with Abishiv scoring 7 before being bowled by a Jaffer of a delivery from arguably Finch 5s best bowler of the day throwing grenades with his leg spin. Khuram managed a respectable 22 before being bowled. Another day for Adhvyth to forget with the bat after top-edging a ball for an easy catch. A great performance with the gloves continues but he is still looking for that batting performance to get his season going as the batsman we have seen in the past. Finally, Bilal came in to seal the win with Graham hitting the biggest six of the day to add the cherry on top of a good chase and victory for Reading 4s.

Men of the Match – Graham with the bat scoring an unbeaten 57 along with his 45 from last week and Bilal with the ball claiming 3 wickets.
Next week Binfield 5s at home and looking to add another victory in the bag.