BOBBY Sher admits he felt relieved as Slough Cricket Club recorded a first win this season when beating Reading by 60 runs on Saturday.

Slough have been without luck in Home Counties Division One as injuries and bad weather saw them four matches without success.

But they were too strong for Berkshire rivals Reading and got off the mark in comfortable fashion at Upton Court Road.

“We got over the line and there is a bit of relief,” the Slough skipper told the Observer.

“Obviously Reading have been struggling and they’ve lost quite a few players. They are quite an easy side to play against but they were probably thinking the same about us.”

Slough posted a total of 232-8 from their allotted 50 overs with Waqas Hussain (63) and Steven Green (53) the top scorers.

Reading skipper Khalid Malik (2-21) and Jack Beaven (2-64) were the pick of the bowlers.

Sher commented: “Steven opened the batting for us. He normally bats lower down the order but we decided to change things up a bit and it worked.

“It wasn’t the easiest wicket to bat on, it was tough to score runs if you bowled in the right areas, and credit to Reading as their openers bowled well.

“We knew anything over 225 would be a winning score and, as it happened, it panned out that way. I was happy with the score on that wicket.”

Reading reached 162-9 in response with Qasim Ali (32), Martin Andersson (28) and Malik (27) the leading scorers.

The wickets were shared amongst the Slough bowlers with Shahid Yousaf (3-19), Iklaq Raja (2-9) and Feroz Baig (2-41) most impressive.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Iklaq Raja recorded figures of 2-9 as Slough beat Reading by 60 runs on Saturday.

“Reading were 64-7 at one stage and the game was done and dusted then,” Sher explained. “We gave guys that needed to bowl, those who will bowl more in the longer format, the chance to.

“We got early wickets and could target the batsman that we wanted to.”

Next up for Slough is a mouth-watering clash with rival club Burnham at Upton Court Road this Saturday (11am), with Sher concerned about the impact on his team from injuries and Ramadan.

Sher said: “It’s always good to get a win on the board and hopefully it will kick-start our season, but it is tough for us at the moment. Things are not going our way.

“With the injuries we have, the 50-over format would not suit, so the longer format of the game would be better for us.

“We’re just not firing on all cylinders at the moment and have not got four matches during Ramadan, which is going to be even tougher, but it’s a long season and we will see how we go.”

He added: “We have got a massive game with Burnham on Saturday. They are going along nicely, had a great win last weekend and beat us twice last year.

“But, it’s not just about beating our rivals, there is no point if you can’t beat anyone else, it is more about being consistent.”

Slough have injury concerns over Shaan Khan, Waqas Hussain is unable to bowl due to a damaged shoulder and Lloyd Paternott is ruled out with a broken thumb.