Match report by David Wright

Scorecard

v Dorset CCC 6th - 8th June 2010 @ Falkland CC - Match drawn

Berkshire were left frustrated again as their opening Minor Counties Championship match against Dorset at Falkland’s Wash Common ground was hit by wet weather.

Both their home Minor Counties KO Cup matches had been rain-affected, contributing to their exit from the competition, and there was a similar story this week.

Rain brought play to an early close on Monday evening and no play was possible on Tuesday, the final day of this three-day match.

For a part of Sunday, Berkshire were also under a grey cloud as they made a bad start after electing to bat first.

Opener David Barnes and Jono McLean were both dismissed for ducks before the total had moved into double figures.

Henley club-mate Michael Roberts, making his return to the side, and Bjorn Mordt steadied the ship and took the total to 58 before the former was out for 33.

Skipper Mordt was the fourth man out at 77, caught close to the wicket, although he didn’t look to  have touched the ball and Berkshire’ woes continued with Steve Naylor (5) being dismissed without any addition to the total.

Craig Crowe (25) and brother Carl (1) both fell in quick succession to leave the side struggling at 103-7.

Berkshire's fortune then changed dramatically when Todd Hutcheson and Luke Beaven produced a spirited recovery. Wicketkeeper Hutcheson started to get on top of the bowling as the wicket got a little easier for the batsmen. He and Beaven put on 62 for the eighth wicket before Beaven was caught behind for 39.

Hutcheson found another willing partner in Stephen Wheeler and the pair, both making their championship debuts, added 93 invaluable runs for the ninth wicket. No. 10 Wheeler stayed with Hutcheson for more than an hour and a half before being trapped lbw for an excellent 41.

With the 90 overs fast approaching, last-man Tom Lambert went looking for runs and cracked two fours and a six on his way to 20 as Berkshire finished with a respectable 304-9.

Hutcheson remained unbeaten on 94, made off 158 deliveries. He hit 14 boundaries.

The Dorset reply was dominated by opener Nick Park and No. 4 Glyn Treagus, both making centuries in their side’s 349 all out off 85.5 overs. Park  hit 125 off 194 balls, while Treagus made 104 off 173 deliveries. They shared a third-wicket stand of 196. Both batsmen eventually fell to Naylor, who finished with 3-67.

Carl Crowe also ended up with three wickets, at a personal cost of 76. The most economical bowler was Beaven, with 1-46 off 16.

Berkshire, with a first innings deficit of 45, had Roberts stumped by Chris Park for 24 with the total on 48.
Back-to-form Barnes (62) and McLean (35) took the total to 122-1 off 34 overs before rain brought a premature end to the game.
 
 
Summary:
 
Berkshire 1st innings: 304-9 (90 overs). Hutcheson 94no, Wheeler 41, Beaven 39, Roberts 33; Metcalfe 4-86.
Dorset 1st innings:  349 (85.5 overs): Nick Park 125, Treagus 104, Lawrence 45; Naylor 3-67, Carl Crowe 3-75.
Berkshire 2nd innings: 122-1 (34 overs):  Barnes 62no, McLean 35no, Roberts 24.