Yateley fall just short

Wokingham ............. 202 Yateley...................... 194

Stuart YATELEY seem to specialise in matches in which fortunes fluctuate and the initiative is passed between the teams and it was no exception at Wokingham on Saturday.

Wokingham opted to bat but soon found life difficult as Miles Covers worked up a lively pace to help reduce them to 42-4.

However,

Hayter joined Simon Myles and a steady recovery began, prompting Yateley to turn to their spinners – Sam Kennett removing Myles smartly caught for 40 and then bowled Craig Beales for seven.

In the end, Hayter’s fine 73 proved vital in helping Wokingham to 202 from 48 overs with Kennett 4-51 and Covers 3-30 the pick.

With extra overs in hand Yateley cruised to 45 without loss but the loss of John Howells for 22 and the immediate run out of James Halson set them back and when leading run scorer Ryan Bone was caught for 11, a good start had been wasted.

Opener James Muir continued to bat with composure and with Jacques Pienaar in support Yateley reached 132-4 but the crucial loss of Muir for 58 and the loss of three more quick wickets saw Yateley hit the buffers.

Skipper Stuart Lipo joined Covers in a 47 partnership to set up a tense finish but with nine needed off two overs, Lipo fell lbw for 28 leaving Wokingham winners by eight runs.