Reading Chronicle | Sport | Sonning looking forward to new challenge

Monday, 12th May, 2008

Published: Saturday, 3rd May, 2008 12:00

Sonning looking forward to new challenge

Having dominated the Berkshire League for much of the past decade, the club, based in Pound Lane, will be looking to establish itself in the higher reaches of the 16 division-strong TVL.

The first team will be looking to make its mark in Division 4B, with the 2nd XI taking on the challenge of Division 6B,

And chairman Ali Driver is eagerly anticipating opening a new chapter in the club’s history.

He said: “It’s great news for the club and something that we have been wanting to do for some time.

“We won the Berkshire League four times in the last seven years, so it’s probably fair to say we had hit our ceiling at that level.

“We had been offered the chance to go before, but we wanted to go in at the right level, and that has been made possible this year.

“But it will enable us to improve the standard of cricket at the club, and hopefully attract better quality players here.”

The new boys will be meeting their fresh challenge in some style, having recruited Queensland and Australia under-19 opening bowler Cameron Gannon as their overseas player for the year.

And Driver revealed how an accidental meeting with the Australian age group squad forged a link that could have batsmen in the TVL hopping about all season.

He explained: “It came about quite by chance because I met the Australian Under-19 squad on a plane, and got chatting to their coach who recommended Cameron to me.

“He is a smashing lad and we were sponsored by a couple of companies – Nicholas Estate Agents and Focus Resourcing – to help pay for his flight costs etc.

“He is an opening bowler who can bat a bit, and having faced him gently in the nets I have no doubt he will be a terror to our opposition this year.

“It’s superb for us because it will really help raise the standard of the players, and he will be helping out with coaching the youngsters at the same time.”

Joining Gannon will be fellow 19-year-old Retief van der Walt, an opening batsman who has represented South East Transvaal under-19s. And up to 20 other players have joined up over the off-season – something that shows the general well-being of the club according to Driver.

He said: “Retief is an excellent batsman and has also got coaching qualifications and we are very lucky to have both these young lads.

“I have been here for some 20 years and it’s the best state I’ve know the club be in – it is all very positive.” The outlook could be bright for some time to come, as Sonning have joined forces with another local side, Charvil Junior Cricket Club, to help youngsters enjoy their cricket.

And Driver revealed he is hoping the club will be reaping the benefits for years to come.

He said: “From this season, we have joined forces with Charvil Junior Cricket Club, which were struggling for facilities last year.

“It will be for youngsters aged between six and 13 and the club will meet every Sunday morning at our ground from June to August.

“We have got lots of 12-14-year- olds playing for the adult teams and we want that to continue.

“But now we can also focus on the younger age groups as well as giving the former members of Charvil somewhere to play.

“All in all it means I’m really looking forward to this summer of cricket.”

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