Henley 4s consolidated their 2nd place position in the league with a thumping win against Gerrards Cross on Saturday. Winning the toss and batting first on a green but firm pitch openers Chris Ellison and Aarian Atwal laid a wonderful platform with an opening stand of 154 in good time. Ellison falling just short of a century on 88 off 64 balls. Atwal went on to carry his bat through the innings for an excellent 77 not out. The second wicket partnership of 60 runs with Atharv Gupta (36 off 29 balls) was a mix of brilliant running and boundaries helping to elevate the score to 214. There was a useful cameo of 18 from captain Mani Atwal with 3 boundaries at the back end. Henley 4s finishing on 272-6.

In reply, Gerrard Cross struggled against the seam attack of Joe Raymond and Harry Monahan. Each picking up a wicket in their opening spells with excellent economy rates. However, game defining moments came in the form of two run outs executed by the athletic fielding and bullet like throwing arm of Oliver Woodward. Oliver displayed great awareness to create the run outs chances expertly signed off by wicket keeper George Piercy. Woodward then picked up the game with an excellent spell of 6 overs including one wicket. He was joined by Aakansh Naik who returned figures of 6 overs, 3 maidens, 2 wickets for 5 runs in a superb display of seam and swing bowling. Josh Ellison wrapped up the game with 2 wickets in his single over as Gerrards Cross were dismissed for 86 runs. A win for Henley by 186 runs.

With the second half of the season beginning next weekend its all to play for as Henley 4s are well placed in the league with a visit to Emmbrook and Bearwood on Saturday.