CAPTAIN Zahid Mohammed inspired early-season Thames Valley League Division 3a leaders Sonning to a nerve-jangling three-wicket victory at Cove 2nds, writes Richard Ashton.

James Taylor and Luke Voyce gave the hosts a steady start as they took the score to 38, but a disastrous collapse then saw them lose four wickets for one run as Ghulam Abbas ran riot.

Two more wickets fell with the score on 48, and when Mohammed came into the attack it got even worse for Cove as his two quick wickets reduced the home side to 56-8.

Captain Craig Taylor battled bravely to make an unbeaten 40 batting at number eight, but a final wicket for Abbas (6-48) and another for Mohammed (3-20) ensured Cove were dismissed for just 110.

The Sonning reply began poorly as Peter Dean was caught behind by Steve Rhodes off the bowling of James Sharrod for a duck, and Duncan Parr was then trapped lbw by George Roylance.

As is so often the case, however, it was Mohammed who proved the difference between Sonning and their opponents.

Only Alex Ray and Gary Phillips also made double figures (both 13), but Mohammed’s (pictured) 64 was a class apart.

He eventually edged behind to the impressive Sharrod (4-30), but by that time Sonning were almost home, and they eventually achieved victory in the 36th over.

Sonning host Reading 2nds on Saturday (1pm).

In Division 5b, Sonning 2nds pulled off a superb run chase to beat Falkland 3rds by six wickets.

Chandan Singh (97), Sunil Sharma (48) and Paritosh Singh (47) helped the visitors to a competitive 239-7, despite the best efforts of Kevan Smith (3-47), Dave Rintoul (2-37) and Waqar Ahmed (2-52).

However, despite losing a couple of early wickets, Sonning recovered mainly thanks to Rob Dewey’s excellent 89, and Ahmed’s fabulous unbeaten 74 took them to victory in just 35.3 overs.

Sandeep Mehta (2-33) and Jithin Sankar (2-53) were the only Falkland bowlers to pick up wickets.

Sonning 3rds had the better of their Division 8a draw at home to Windsor 4ths.

Naqash Tahir (103) was in particularly good form for the hosts, and aided by Steve Rayfield’s 68, they were able to declare on an imposing 250-8 after 43 overs.

Tahir continued where he left off with the ball, dismissing Kevin Judge for three, but a fine 58 from Richard Charters kept Windsor stable.

Aamir Tahir (2-32) was the pick of the attack while Adam Williams also collected a wicket, but Windsor were able to close on 179-5, taking eight points to the 12 gained by the dominant Sonning side.