Reading CC within touching distance of title

Sportsdesk • Published 25 Aug 2010 18:00 0 Comments

READING skipper David Barr praised the all-round display of his side after they moved to within touching distance of the Home Counties Division Two West title this week.

The Sonning Lane side cruised to a nine-wicket derby win at Finchampstead on Saturday. This means that a win at home to second place Falkland this weekend will all-but clinch them the title.

At the other end of the pile, the defeat saw Finch slip back into the bottom two. And they will be looking for a big performance at Bobby Sher’s Slough on Saturday as they continue to fight against relegation to the Thames Valley League.

Reading, bowling first, were in charge from the start. And once an inspired piece of fielding by Ian Slatcher removed the home side’s main run-threat Steve Brogan (50), the Sonning Lane side were in cruise control.

Berkshire spinner Luke Beaven picked up six wickets on the day as Finch were bowled out for just 141.

But Barr was also full of praise for Luke’s younger brother Jack and the exceptional fielding of Slatcher.

He said: “I thought it was a really good effort to restrict them to 141 on what is a very good wicket.

“They have very good facilities over there and prepare the wicket very well.

“Jack bowled with a lot of pace and showed everyone how much he has improved this season.

“Luke obviously bowled really well again too, but I think the pivitol moment was Ian Slatcher’s brilliant piece of fielding.”

Finch were 98-4 at lunch, but with Brogan looking in good nick as he brought up his half-century, the hosts were threatening to put up a decent score.

However a brilliant direct hit by Slatcher saw the Finch top-scorer run out.

Barr said: “It is one of those bits of skill that can change a match. We have been talking about those in training and Ian has brought that onto the field.

“Steve Brogan was well set and was proving difficult to get out, but once Ian got him out the wickets started to tumble.

“He was running away from the wicket and had to turn and throw it in the opposite direction over his shoulder, but he still managed a direct hit.

“It was a brilliant bit of fielding.”

Luke Beaven and David Hartley (2-34) then set about dismissing the remainder of the Finch line-up for a lowly 141.

In response Finch made a relatively early breakthrough when Sukhi Kang (27) was caught behind by Russell Lane off the first ball of Matt Bell’s spell.

This brought Jamie Hoddle - back from a two month ankle injury - and Shelvin Gumbs together in the the middle. They both hit unbeaten half-centuries as Reading eased over the line.

Hoddle top-scored with 58, while Gumbs was just one behind on 57.

Barr added: “All of the top three did really well. You can’t really ask for any more of that.

“Sukhi Kang played some very good shots before he got out and Shelvin and Jamie were both very good value for their 50s.”

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 26 Aug 10

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