Henley 4s travelled to the beautiful Littlewick Green ground on Saturday. A picture postcard ground with excellent looking pitch and fast outfield the game was set up for runs.

As duly happens Captain Ellison lost the toss but was delighted to be asked to bat first! After the early loss of Laurie Tate to a mistimed drive caught at mid off momentum was establish with Noah Perrone joining Ellison taking the score close to 50.
The captain departing to a nick behind well caught by the WK in front of first slip for 39 at a run a ball. Noah was joined by Jethro Kock in an excellent 3rd wicket partnership of 63. Jethro striking the ball beautifully for his 51 off 41 balls including 11 x 4s.

What followed was a mini collapse from 112-2 to 123-5 as Adam Mills and Noah fell cheaply. A partnership was needed.

And duly delivered in emphatic fashion by Toby Oseman in at 6 and Aakansh Naik at 7. Toby making his first appearance of the season was rightly watchful early in his innings absorbing the Littlewick pressure. However, the scoreboard kept ticking with well run singles, 2s, 3s and a little help from some interesting field placements. As we ticked over 30 overs the acceleration came. A mix of boundaries and excellent running against a tiring fielding unit and bowling attack. Toby and Aakansh started to dominate.

This match changing partnership of 114 was a delight to watch and umpire through. A blend of control and aggression. Toby falling for 35 off 45 balls with 4 x 4s. Aakansh went on to record his highest senior score with 81 off 62 balls with 12 x 4s and 1 huge x 6. The last 10 overs yielding in excess of 100 runs as Henley posted an impressive 251-6 from the 40 overs.

In reply Littlewick Green got off to an excellent start adding nearly 100 for the first wicket before a retirement for cramp (know that feeling!!!) for opener, Banerji.

By this time 14 year old off spinner Arjun Kothari was well into his miserly middle overs spell of 8 overs 1-20. Another match changing contribution. Aakansh was also into a lovely spell of away swing and seam bowling taking an excellent caught and bowled to dismiss the number 3 batter, Nawaz, first ball.

Rosie Mills settled into her spell with 2 quick wickets. From 98 without loss to 125-4 the game was on. An excellent piece of fielding at backward point from Adam Mills created a run out opportunity brilliantly executed by the slick hands of Noah behind the stumps. Also, a mention for Laurie keeping tidily for the first half of the innings.

At 131-5 the game was heading Henley’s way. But for a close run out call that could “and probably should” have gone Henley’s way much to the surprise of the Littlewick Green captain who’s comment “has he given me not out?” speak volumes!

The opposition captain was having not of it. Striking the ball well, with excellent running between wickets and riding the luck of a few dropped catches the game was back in the balance. Toby Oseman’s leg spin earned a wicket as the dangerous opening batter returned to breathe life into the run chase. With 60 required, two batters set, a fast outfield and short leg side boundary it was very much game on. Back came Aakansh Naik, Andy Chinn and 13 year old Harry Ellison to close out these final overs. Harry taking on the responsibility of the final over with composure and assurance.

A Henley win by 38 runs.

A special mention also for the fielding performance of the season so far from Noah Perrone. Energy, commitment, speed to the ball certainly saved a number of runs in the deep. This game ebbed and flowed from start to finish. In the end a well deserved and hard fought win against a team of mostly adults. Henley 4s finish the first half of the season with 5 wins from 9 games. But, most importantly a huge catalogue of experience and contributions from the squad. Thank you Parag for your support with scoring and and parents for your wonderful encouragement from the boundary.