County Cricket - reports in brief...

BCCC vs Devon CCC 10th May 2009 @ Henley CC

BERKSHIRE DEMOLISHED BY DEVON

"Once in a while you have a day you wish to forget and move on".  These were the words of Manager, David Morris, following the 142 run defeat at the hands of Devon on Sunday.

The Berkshire side was decimated by late withdrawals and injuries and it was a real achievement to get eleven players on the park.  With Michael Bates, Danny Briggs and David Griffiths claimed by Hampshire at short notice, and Craig Crowe and Mitchell Stokes injured, the Royal County was at one time down to six players late in the week.

Opportunities were given to youngsters Jamie Hoddle and Suki Kang with David Allaway playing his first game for three years and Daniel Yarnley making his debut.

All this proved to be a baptism of fire against a powerful Devon side used to playing on the beautiful, but compact, seaside ground at Instow, North Devon.

To make matters worse, opening bowler Tom Lambert succumbed to a bout of 'flu but battled on bravely and Suki Kang was struck in the mouth whilst keeping wicket.  "It was a nightmare scenario", continued Morris.  "Everything that could possibly go wrong did so and our indisciplined bowling did not help matters either".

Batting first Devon amassed a huge 387-5 off their allotted 50 overs.  Opener Chris Mole compiled an excellent 132 off 150 balls including six 6's - four of which came from successive balls off the hapless Steve Naylor.  Mole was magnificently supported by Rob Holman (75 off 80 balls) and a whirlwind 77 not out off only 34 balls from Neil Hancock.  On many occasions the ball had to be recovered from the adjoining beach where nearby holidaymakers were in mortal fear for their lives.  Daniel Yarnley with 0-39 off his 10 overs was the pick of a poor Berkshire attack along with Captain Bjorn Mordt who claimed 2-46 off 6 overs.

In reply, Berkshire made a valiant attempt to repair the damage promoting Richard Logan to open the innings with David Barnes.

Barnes was given run out early on; Jono McLean adjudged lbw followed by first ball ducks for Mordt and Naylor, giving a hat-trick to Hancock and a second first ball dismissal for Naylor.

Logan was finally out for a hard hit 64 off only 59 balls.  James Morris with 47 off only 36 balls - ably assisted by a well-crafted 30 from Allaway - helped to repair the damage and kept the scoreboard ticking over, but after Mordt was run out it was a case of "too little too late".

Tail-enders Hoddle and Kang impressed with the bat on debut but Berkshire were finally all out for 245 with the best part of 10 overs to spare.

"This was an unacceptable and sub-standard performance", said Morris.  "We bowled 34 wides; in essence giving an extra 6 overs to the batting side.  We had serious issues with availability and injuries both before and during the game, but that does not excuse what happened on the day.  We must, however, give full credit to Devon for a superb display".

With virtually no chance of qualifying for the quarter-final stages of the Knock-out competition, it is now all about pride and preparation for the three day Championship competition.

Berkshire's next game in the Knock-out is on Sunday against Cornwall at Falkland CC starting at 11.00 a.m.  Morris is delaying announcing his team until the position regarding injuries and availability becomes clearer but it is fair to assume that changes will be made.

David Morris - Manager
07836 680182

Previous match reports - click required report below

BCCC vs Wiltshire CCC 19th April 2009 @ Thatcham Town CC
Never has the phrase “snatching defeat from the jaws of victory” been more appropriate. These were the words of Manager, David Morris, following Berkshire’s loss to Wiltshire in the annual Marlborough Cup match at Thatcham on Sunday.

With 17 runs needed off the final over, Wiltshire batsman, Alex Senneck, promptly hit two sixes, one four and a single all of the hapless Richard Logan to see Wiltshire home by 4 wickets with one ball to spare.

Earlier, having been put into bat, Berkshire struggled to 197 all out in their allotted 50 overs on a wicket where scoring was always difficult and on an outfield which was slow. The top order all failed – in part possibly due to over-confidence and poor shot selection and it was left to Steve Naylor with a typically belligerent 65 and the in-form Michael Bates (35) to give the final total an air of respectability – albeit possibly 20 runs short of par.

In reply, Wiltshire were always behind the rate with run scoring equally difficult. Craig Crowe (3-31) was the pick of the Berkshire bowlers removing three of the top four batsmen and when James Morris removed the dangerous Hibberd to reduce them to 123-6, it looked all over. Two dropped catches then proved crucial and “the rest” as they say “is history”. Bedbrook (59*) and Senneck (44*) batted superbly and the final onslaught was the icing on the Wiltshire cake.

The Royal County has a week to regroup before starting their 2009 campaign in the Minor Counties Knock-out Trophy at Henley CC on Sunday May 3rd against – you’ve guessed – Wiltshire !!

“You can guarantee that we’ll be out to avenge this defeat,” said Morris. “All credit to Wiltshire for their fine performance in the Marlborough Cup but there will be no repeats in two weeks’ time”.



Contact : David Morris 07836 680182


BCCC vs Middlesex CCC 14th April 2009 @ Falkland CC
After the weather affected match over the Easter weekend the Middlesex one-day match on Tuesday faired much better and featured powerplays and fielding circles.
Middlesex batted first and used their 50 overs to amass 239 for 6. Mitchell Stokes being the best of the Berkshire bowlers finishing with 3 wickets for a miserly 36.
Berkshire chased down the total to close at 240 for 2.
M D Bates added to his previous innings with an excellent 55 n.o. and shared the winning third wicket partnership of 181 with J J McLean (124 n.o.) with overs to spare.

BCCC vs Gloucestershire CCC 11th - 12th April 2009 @ Falkland CC
Gloucestershire fielded a strong first-class side while Berkshire captained by James Morris gave early opportunities to three young players, Ross McAdam, Jamie Hoddle and Shelvin Gumbs.

Winning to the Toss, Gloucester elected to field and after a delayed start Lewis and Kirby opened the bowling and soon got amongst the Berkshire top order.
M D Bates sparked the recovery to an admirable 172 all out scoring his maiden 50 for the County.

At close of play Gloucestershire were 39 without loss. Day 2 was lost to the poor weather despite the attentions of Wilson Carlisle and his grounds team.