Grosvenor win Berkshire League Premier Division
James Walker-Roberts • Published 9 Sep 2011 09:00
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GROSVENOR were crowned Berkshire League Premier Division champions after beating Sulhamstead by 61 runs on the final day.
Mohammed Sarfraz was the match-winner for the champions as he took 5-28 to dismiss Sulhamstead for 105 in the second innings.
West Reading, playing their first season in the top flight, cemented second spot with an impressive 225-run victory over dethroned champions Mortimer West End.
Sultan Khan (87), Fahad Raja (75) and Abid Ul-Wahab (60) all hit half-centuries as West Reading posted an imposing total of 289-9 from less than 45 overs.
In keeping with their disappointing season, Mortimer never got going with the bat and Abid Ul-Wahab (4-21) and Hafeez Ul-Wahab (5-28) ripped through the line-up.
However, despite struggling to score runs, it looked as though Mortimer might hold on for a remarkable draw until the final wicket fell on the penultimate ball of the match to leave them 64 all out from 44.5 overs.
At the foot of the table, Stratfield Turgis and Woodley were both relegated after defeats on the final day.
Woodley suffered a 75-run loss to Peppard after being bowled out for 141 and Stratfield lost to Sandhurst by 32 runs.
Elsewhere, Stoke Row finished their season on a high by beating Woodcote by six wickets.
Will Macdonald (103) and JP Brouard (68) helped Woodcote post 230-3 but they were outdone by Sam Boughton (81no) and Charles Lambrech's (73) stand of 158.
In Division One, Crown Wood were crowned champions after beating Ibis Mapledurham by 29 runs.
Runners-up South East Reading also triumphed by 17 runs against Harlington but finished 177 points behind the leaders.
The result means Harlington are relegated to Division Two, along with Emmbrook and Bearwood, who could only achieve a losing draw with Farley Hill.
Matthew Salter smashed an unbeaten 154 to help Farley reach 268-3 and Emmbrook held on for a draw at 180-8.
Division Two champions Mortimer finished with the best record of any side in the Berkshire League and they capped off their campaign by beating rivals Mortimer West End 2nds by 38 runs.
Bradfield were also promoted from Division Two after a 154-run win over Sonning 3rds.
Abdul Manan (52) and Ben Pringle (42) helped Bradfield to 243-9
and David North (6-15) then ripped through the batting to dismiss Sonning for 89.
Defeat leaves Sonning at the foot of the table and they are relegated alongside Berkshire County Sports, who came agonisingly close to surviving.
County Sports made 165 in their match with fellow-strugglers Peppard 2nds but were unable to take the last wicket as their opponents won with 167-9.
West Reading 2nds and Welford Park were promoted from Division Three, while Hawley and Crown Wood 2nds drop down to Division Four to be replaced by Twyford and Waltham St Lawrence 2nds.
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 09 Sep 11
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