Henley's 4th XI featuring a mix of juniors and seniors won a hard fought victory away at Pinkney's Green on Saturday afternoon. Losing the toss for a second weekend in a row Henley were asked to bowl first on what looked a good wicket for batting with fast outfield. Opening bowlers Chinn and Naik struggled to find their line and lengths in the early exchanges. The score rattled along to 40 at better than a run a ball until a superb catch by 14 year old Jethro Kock running backwards from square leg off the bowling of Naik. Two quick wickets fell to Chinn leaving the score at 47-3. The momentum had shifted and Henley sensed an opportunity. But, an excellent 4th wicket partnership of 107 threatened to take the game away from Henley with a potential long run chase to follow. Enter the combined spin twins of young and not so young!!! 14 year old Rosie Mills in tandem with 47 year old captain, Chris Ellison put the brakes on. Combined figures of 13.1 overs, 6 wickets for 44 runs turned the tide. 2 wickets for Rosie, 4 wickets for Chris. The catches stuck including a beauty at mid wicket from 14 year of Harry Monahan. In addition, a smart run out towards the end from an Aakansh Naik / Rosie Mills combination meant Pinkneys Green were restricted to 182 when a score well in excess of 200 looked probable.

Following the early departure of Oliver Ward the Henley reply gathered momentum with Jethro Kock smashing the ball to all parts in a breezy 46 off 22 balls including 8 x fours and 2 x sixes. Jethro was supported by other opener Freddie Bowlby's stylish 24 off 27 balls including 4 x fours. However, just as the opposition were wilting in the afternoon heat both Freddie and Jethro departed in quick succession. Fresh from European success on tour with Crystal Palace, Sean Taylor, succumbed to the left arm spin attack and followed soon after. Aakansh Naik, playing his first game of the season, never settled and chipped a catch to mid on. From 73-1 and cruising to 98-5 in no time at all the game had swung in the balance. Pinkney's Green were on top asking all the questions. What followed was a lesson in batting under pressure by the little and large combination of 15 year old Joshua Ellison with the experienced Adam Mills. Soaking up the good balls and pressure with run rate never an issue both Joshua and Adam batted beautifully putting away the bad ball to the boundary and picking up lots of singles as the fielding unit tired. A partnership of 84 runs at near run a ball rate ensured the win was Henley's. Adam falling just 1 run short of the victory target scoring 34 off 57 balls including 4 x fours. Joshua's second half century of the season finishing on 60 not out off 74 balls including 7 x fours. The target was reached with plenty to spare in 33.1 overs. The win takes Henley into 4th position in the table setting up an exciting match with table topping Binfield Heath next weekend.