HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE - DIVISION TWO
Harefield 172 all out
Reading 174-4
Harefield lost by six wickets
HAREFIELD are still waiting for their first win of the new Division Two season after slumping to a six-wicket defeat to Reading.
The Harefield players were frustrated by the weather on the opening weekend and there was more disappointment here as they were brushed aside by the Berkshire outfit.
Batting first, Harefield openers Simon Macey (12) and George Shiel (8) struggled to make any real impression and set the tone for what was to follow.
Poojan Vyas added 16 and Akshay Reddy looked useful, reaching 33, before being struck out by Sukhi Kang.
But there were far too many who underperformed on the day, Ollie Richards (2), Matthew Lench (0) failing to get to grips with the game.
Doug King top scored for Harefield with a well-taken 39, before being run out, and Harefield were skittled out for 172 in 48.4 overs.
Reading smelled blood as they stepped into the crease. Number three batsman Martin Andersson caused major problems for the attack and finished unbeaten on 62.
Reddy and Scott Morris took a wicket each and Dan Evans forced two run-outs, but it was not enough and Harefield got home with six wickets to spare.
Elsewhere, Hayes suffered a one-wicket defeat to Hurst in Thames Valley League Division 3A,
And Old Merchant Taylors were held to a draw by Teddington in Division 3B, despite Amar Gudhka’s five-star performance with the ball.
