Binfield Cricket Club's Friendly XI won by six wickets away at Welford Park CC on Sunday 7 June, Peter Henly's 3-22 and a brisk Will Guest helping to dismiss the hosts for 173 before Will Kings top-scored with 42 and Henly returned an unbeaten 25 to finish the chase.
Match summary
CompetitionFriendly
FixtureWelford Park CC v Friendly XI, Sunday 7 June 2026 (away)
TossBinfield won the toss and chose to field
ResultBinfield won by 6 wickets
ScoresWelford Park 173 all out (39.4 overs); Binfield 175-4 (32.3 overs)
Key cardsPeter Henly 3-22 and 25 not out; Will Guest 3-34; Will Kings 42; Welford Park's Max Seaward 34
Captains & keepersBinfield captained by Peter Henly (Monty Mitchell, wk); Welford Park led by Marc Greenslade (Tiago Castro, wk)
A friendly, my dear old things - and don't let that gentle little word fool you, for there was nothing remotely half-hearted about Binfield's Friendly XI on their travels to Welford Park. Saturday's downpour had left the ground soft and the Sunday air cool and breezy, but it was just the afternoon for the captain, Peter Henly, to win the toss and ask the hosts to bat. He led from the very front with the ball, too, wheeling away for eight overs and two maidens to finish with a handsome 3-22, while Will Guest struck three times for his 3-34. Max Seaward's 34 was the one innings of real substance for Welford Park, and with Archie Mitchell, Will Kings and Archie Orr each picking up a wicket - and Charlie Miles running one out for good measure - the hosts were bowled out for 173, no fewer than 37 of those runs arriving as extras, 17 of them byes.
Special mention, if I may, for Finn Mitchell, whose six overs cost a mere 11 runs with a maiden in there too - the sort of miserly spell that gives a captain the warmest of glows. It set the scene perfectly, and Binfield set off after 174 with a smile and a straight bat.
Will Kings led the way with a most agreeable 42, Ram Devarakonda made 25 and Paul Edgington a watchful 24, and the worm graph caught the mood exactly - the two innings running almost side by side for thirty overs before Binfield's line climbed clear in the closing push. When the line came into view it was Henly - who else? - striding out to seal his fine all-round day with 25 not out, Finn Mitchell unbeaten alongside him on 22. Binfield cantered to 175 for 4 to win by six wickets with a good seven overs in hand. A grand day out, splendidly done, and exactly the sort of cricket that sends everybody home thoroughly pleased with the world. What a joy!