Tom Chappell’s First Half Century of the Season Gives Henley IVs a Win at Bracknell

On Saturday Henley 4’s traveled to Bracknell 2’s for a friendly after Beaconsfield conceded the fixture. Fielding first a solid Henley team had another great start with Sam Brabham taking a wicket in his second over. This brought the experienced Martindale to the crease who started to play shots from the start. His impact in the game was immediate and was scoring freely off Brabham and Withers. A change of bowling from both ends with the experience of C Johnson and the energy of Alex Johnson. Johnson senior took a bit of punishment from Martindate but won the day by bowling him for 39. Thereafter Bracknell’s resistance was limited with only White scoring a solid 22 at the end of the innings to help his side to a below par score of 119 from 30 overs. A good performance from all bowlers who shared the wickets, Alex Johnson returning the best figures of 3-17.

Henley’s batting started slowly but openers Tom Chappell and Henry Oldershaw gradually got the pace of the track and started to play some shots. Their opening stand of 39 was a good base to work off with Alex Johnson and Chappell then taking the score to 68 before Johnson was out, impatiently sweeping a straight ball. Resolute at the other end was Tom Chappell using his experience to accumulate runs and when he was joined by Brabham they worked well to take Henley to a comfortable win and Chappell his first half century of the season. Brabham was 28 not out at the end.

Karthik was the pick of the Bracknell bowlers and his left arm over spin accounted for both Henley’s wickets.

Next week, the team travel to Old Merchant Taylors who have won both their opening games of the season.