fter a week of extreme heat and red warnings the toss was crucial to the outcome of Saturday's match at Nettlebed where Henley's mix of 3 adults with lots of youth took on an all adult team from Maidenhead Royals.

Opening bowlers Aakansh Naik and Andy Chinn started off well keeping a lid on the run rate. 13 year old, Harry Ellison, produced another excellent spell of 5 overs. However, runs started to flow at the other end as bowlers had to rotate in the heat. With the score on 65 a smart catch at mid off by Aakansh Naik off the bowling of Raiph Surplice removed the MR captain, Mani, when well set. A partnership of 72 followed as the young spinners of Arjun Kothari and Joshua Ellison worked hard to contain these middle overs. Arjun deservedly picking up a wicket in his 7 over spell. With 10 overs to go MR had a strong foundation at 160-2. Against a tiring fielding unit predominantly used to 20 over matches the heat started to takes it toll. A series of mis fields, missed run out opportunities and dropped catches allowed MR to accelerate their innings. Raiph Surplice took an excellent catch at long on off the bowling of captain, Chris Ellison. Chris also picked up another wicket in his 4 over spell. The final 10 overs yielded over 90 runs giving MR a commanding score of 254-5.

In reply, Henley needed a fast start. Openers Raiph Surplice and Chris Ellison took no time in racing the score to 50. A flurry of boundaries, no balls and wides all contributing to an excellent opening partnership. Following the fall of Ellison to an excellent inswinging yorker, debutant, Palash Mehta strode to the crease at number 3. Raiph and Palash added 20 runs before Palash was out caught. With the run rate climbing new batter Josh Ellison and Raiph ran really well taking the score to over the 100 mark. The game was on. But, just as Henley managed to get ahead of the rate a wicket fell. Ellison stumped for 15. Jethro Kock yet again started off with great promise striking 5 boundaries in his 23 runs. Jethro was one of four very soft dismissals with the field spread and a run a ball needed holing out on the boundary. A partnership was needed. And, duly arrived with Raiph joined by Ramiah Palvannan adding 64 for the 5th wicket. 60 runs needed off 60 balls with the field spread, a tiring attack and lots of gaps available for 1s and 2s. Raiph going on to his maiden half century for the club Rams set on 38 off 25 balls with 6 boundaries. Time for experience and cricket nous to come to the fore. However, just as it looked like the opposition were down and out Henley gifted 4 wickets for 22 runs. A slump from 194-4 to 216-8. Player of the Match, Raiph Surplice falling for 71 with Henley agonisingly short by 17 runs. A great effort in the conditions and huge learning experience against an all adult side. Next weekend, Henley 4s travel to the picturesque ground of Littlewick Green aiming to get back to winning ways