Berkshire mens 1st XI’s undefeated run, in the 50 over competition, came to an end in a close fought semi-final defeat to Dorset CC on Sunday at Finchampstead.Dan Lincoln won the toss and decided to bat first. After a strong start we lost Rhys Lewis in the 4th over of the game with the score at 26. Charlie Dunnett soon followed LBW with a ball that stayed low and Berkshire had to start a rebuild. Dan Lincoln and Jonny Connell worked hard together and as they started to wrestle back the initiative Dorset struck again removing them both in quick succession. Once again Lincoln can count himself unlucky as he was bowled with a ball that never got up. At 117 for 5 in the 28 th over a score around 200 looked to be the best they could wish for. However a brilliant innings by Eddie Campion, 52 not out off 62 balls, who was ably supported by firstly Josh lincoln , 40 off 31 balls, and Sully Akthar, 38 not out off 30 balls dragged Berkshire to a more than respectabe total of 267 in their 50 overs.Dorset started strongly with bat and reached 50 for no loss in the 9th over. Dan Lincoln turned to his spinners and immediatley both Searle and Campion started to exert some control over the batters. The pressure eventually told as Searle picked up Finn Gordon in the 25 th over as Dorset had reached 119. This brought to the crease the eventual match winner Joe Eckland who scored 89 not out with five sixes and seven fours in an 82-ball innings and adding 94 more for the second wicket with Dorset opener,Church.Church’s departure triggered a mini-collapse in which Dorset lost three wickets for eight runs but the Eckland brothers then combined in an unbroken fifth wicket stand of 47 which saw them home in the last over.
Bjorn Mordt was incredibly proud of his players and had this to say ” It is never easy to lose a semi-final but the grit and determination shown by the lads today was quite incredible. We had no right in taking that run chase into the last over but by never giving up we nearly won the game. We will pick ourselves up and get ready to finish strong in our T20 campaign which starts again this Sunday away at Buckinghamshire.”
