BCCC vs Devon CCC 7th -9th June 2009 @ Falkland CC

Berkshire's player-coach Richard Logan produced one of the best bowling performances in the club's recent history during their drawn Minor Counties Championship match against Devon at Falkland CC's Wash Common ground this week.


The medium-fast bowler took 8-56 in one ball short of 16 overs as Devon were shot out for 153 in their second innings that left Berkshire requiring 243 to win in 51 overs.
At 135-3 and 17 overs remaining, an unlikely win looked possible, but they lost two wickets in successive overs and in the end were hanging on at 176-9.


With two days completed, this game between the Minor Counties champions and the MCCA Trophy holders appeared to be heading for a boring draw, but that magnificent effort by Logan turned the game into an exciting affair.

"I was pleased to get among the wickets," said 29-year-old Logan, who clean bowled five of his victims and trapped another leg before.
"I didn't take many in our one-day games and I had more than 100 knocked off me in their (Devon's) first innings.
"So I was delighted to get eight. The last time I got eight was for Notts' seconds against Kent, but that was some time ago."


Berkshire club secretary Roy New said: "We have had players in the past who took eight wickets, but these figures of 8-56 will put him high up in our all-time best-bowling lists."


Logan, like the rest of the bowlers, had struggled in the Devon first innings as the visitors rattled up 377-7 in their 90 overs.


Their run-charge on a good batting strip was led by opener Chris Mole with 142. He batted for 297 minutes, faced 203 balls and hit 25 fours.
Rob Holman contributed 66 and Sandy Allen an unbeaten 50, made off just 55 balls.


Berks had replied with 219-5 by close of play on Monday, but they improved that to a final total of 288, thanks in no small measure to a fine knock of 54 by James Morris.

Opener David Barnes made 52, while Steve Naylor was dismissed when one short of his half-century. 

Devon, who had beaten Berks in the MCCA Trophy final at Lord's last season, led by 89 runs, but suffered an early blow when they batted for a second time. Mole lasted only four minutes before becoming the first of Logan's eight victims. The visitors reached 66, but then lost three wickets in the space of four runs.


David Lye led a mini recovery as Devon moved on to 111-4, but he was bowled by Logan for 45 and they collapsed to 153 all out.

Berks lost Danny Housego and Jonno McLean before reaching 50 and when Barnes was dismissed for 36, Berks were 77-3. However, a fourth wicket stand of 58 between skipper Bjorn Mordt and Naylor raised hopes of the Royal county opening their defence of the title with an unlikely win. But both were dismissed in successive overs, Naylor for 32 and Mordt for 38, moving the balance of power back in Devon's favour.

Devon upped the pressure and when Berks lost their ninth wicket there were still 11 balls remaining. The last pair of James Morris and Tom Lambert had 10 fielders crowded around them, but they kept their cool, with Morris even hitting two fours.


"It was a very good game of cricket and I think a fair result," said team manager David Morris.


Berkshire's next game is away to Cheshire at Broughton Hall on June 21-23.


Scores in brief:
Devon 1st innings 377-7 (Mole 142, Holman 66, Allen 50no).
Berks 1st innings 243  (James Morris 54, Barnes 52, Naylor 49; Metters 4-88).
Devon 2nd innings 153  (Lye 45; Logan 8-56).
Berks 2nd innings 176-9 (Mordt 38; Barnes 36, Naylor 32; Metters 4-17).
 
From David Wright
Berkshire CCC press officer
0780 154 7297


Previous match reports - click required report below

Gloucestershire CCC 11th - 12th April 2009 @ Falkland CC

Middlesex CCC 14th April 2009 @ Falkland CC

Wiltshire CCC 19th April 2009 @ Thatcham Town CC


Devon CCC 10th May 2009 @ Henley CC