Neither here nor there for Hameed

Aldershot ................. 172 Sonning................ 176-8

JEKYLL and Hyde Aldershot are still unsure whether to look up at a promotion tilt or over their shoulders at a relegation dogfight after slumping to a third straight defeat at Guildford Road on Saturday.

Amir Hameed’s men remain fourth in the division 2B table just 21 points behind Boyne Hill, who occupy the second promotion place.

But, at the same time, only 11 points separate them from the foot of the table, making every point crucial in the battle to beat the drop.

However, at least Hameed can take some positives out of an otherwise indifferent batting display, which saw the Shots slump to 87-7 after 32 overs, only to recover to 172 and a chance of victory.

“We lost seven wickets quite quickly and were struggling,” Hameed said.

“We then managed to put some batting together and got up to a reasonable total of 172. Towards the end of the innings, it started to feel we were getting the upper hand as Sonning were frustrated that they couldn’t bowl us out sooner.”

Sonning paceman Zubair Khan did most of the early damage, taking 4-52, before Hameed took it upon himself to re-build the innings with a well-grafted 28, well supported by gutsy efforts from tailenders Duncan Anslow (25) and Bobby Gill (18).

Hameed's off-spin then produced another twist as two quick wickets suddenly reduced Sonning to 40-4 and a tense finish ensued.

But Zahib Mohammed's calm unbeaten 66no, aided by Mark Roca's 33, in the end swung the game back in the visitors’ favour, although Anslow’s 2-42 did offer some false hope.

In amongst that group at the foot of the table are Bagshot, who came close pulling off a shock victory over rampant league leaders Stoke Green.

Matt Pettet’s Baggies bowled out their visitors for a mediocre 143, but just couldn’t scamper over the line as 6-53 from Sajid Aziz helped roll them over 42 runs short.

Alex Dunnage’s fine 59 helped the Baggies over the magic three-figure mark and those extra batting points see them five clear of the relegation zone.

Waiting game: The Sonning fielders surround Aldershot tail-ender Duncan Anslow, who did his best to frustrate them with a battling 25, which, in the end, proved insufficient PICTURE: PETE GARDNER