Berkshire Seniors Update – Weekly Round-Up
It has been another busy week for Berkshire Seniors Cricket, with teams across the 50+, 60+ and 70+ age groups all in action across County Championship and friendly fixtures.
There were some excellent individual performances and a number of closely fought contests, with the 60+ 1st XI and 70+ 1st XI both recording impressive victories, while the younger senior sides continued to gain valuable experience in their respective campaigns.
60+ 1st XI v Essex Seniors – National Division 1 South
Berkshire Seniors 60+ 1st XI produced a thrilling performance at Harpsden Cricket Club, defeating Essex Seniors 60+ 1st XI by just seven runs in the National Division 1 South.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, Berkshire posted an impressive 253 for 3 from their 45 overs.
The innings was built around an outstanding performance from Chris Petts, who narrowly missed out on a century with a superb 96 from 103 balls, including 10 fours and a six. Phil Ridgeway got the innings moving with a fluent 43, while Gerry Bacon added 28. Jim Warren finished unbeaten on 49 before Steve Clarke provided late acceleration with an unbeaten 23 from just nine balls.
Essex responded strongly in their chase, with Phil Hillson (51), Paul Miller (52) and Mark Sexton (54) all making valuable contributions. However, Berkshire’s bowlers held their nerve under pressure.
Rob Barrett was the standout performer with an excellent spell of 4 for 34, supported by Ian Harvey (2 wickets), Peter Henly (2 wickets) and Phil Ridgeway. Berkshire restricted Essex to 246 for 9 to secure a narrow but valuable victory.
Result:
Berkshire Seniors 60+ 1st XI 253/3 (45 overs)
Essex Seniors 60+ 1st XI 246/9 (45 overs)
Berkshire won by 7 runs
60+ 2nd XI v Herts 50+ – Friendly
The 60+ 2nd XI travelled to Boxmoor Cricket Club to face Hertfordshire 50+ in a friendly fixture.
Hertfordshire won the toss and batted first, scoring 156 all out from 44.4 overs. Berkshire’s bowlers produced a disciplined display, with Chris Jukes taking 3 wickets for 23 runs. John Smith returned outstanding figures of 2 for 9 from nine overs, while Nick Webb also impressed with 2 for 3 from 4.1 overs.
In reply, Berkshire were bowled out for 103 from 35.4 overs. Chris Symonds remained unbeaten on 17, while Jey Jeyarajah added 21, but Berkshire were unable to establish the partnerships needed to chase down the target.
Result:
Herts 50+ 156 all out (44.4 overs)
Berkshire Seniors 60+ 2nd XI 103 all out (35.4 overs)
Herts 50+ won by 53 runs
60+ 3rd XI v Surrey – National Division 3
The 60+ 3rd XI faced Surrey Senior Cricketers Association at Horsley & Send Cricket Club in National Division 3 action.
Surrey batted first after Berkshire elected to field and posted a challenging 301 for 3 from their 45 overs. Nicholas Bradwell led the way with an unbeaten 96 from 61 balls, supported by Austen Reedman (64) and Rich Tuttle (42 not out).
Berkshire’s bowlers worked hard, with Richard Wyatt taking two wickets and further wickets coming from Nigel Haines, Basudev Pal and Simon Wilkinson.
In reply, Berkshire reached 165 for 6 from their 45 overs. Martin Kay provided the main resistance with a determined 85 from 95 balls, while Richard Wyatt finished unbeaten on 32.
Result:
Surrey Senior Cricketers Association 301/3 (45 overs)
Berkshire Seniors 60+ 3rd XI 165/6 (45 overs)
Surrey won by 136 runs
50+ 2nd XI v Bucks – County Championship Group C
Berkshire Seniors 50+ 2nd XI travelled to Hawridge & Cholesbury Cricket Club to take on Buckinghamshire Over 50s 2nd XI.
Berkshire batted first and posted 157 all out from 40.4 overs, with Daniel Gear producing an excellent innings of 69 from 94 balls, supported by Pankaj Garg’s 34.
Bucks’ bowlers kept the pressure on, with Habib Khan taking 3 for 14 and Tahir Shabab Khan also claiming three wickets.
In reply, Buckinghamshire reached 161 for 5 from 39.2 overs to secure victory. Berkshire’s bowlers kept the contest competitive, with Aron Shallom taking 2 for 26 and wickets also coming from Timothy Howson, Andrew Parham and Upendra Deshpande.
Result:
Berkshire Seniors 50+ 2nd XI 157 all out (40.4 overs)
Bucks Over 50s 2nd XI 161/5 (39.2 overs)
Bucks won by 5 wickets
70+ 1st XI v Hampshire – National Division 1
Berkshire Seniors 70+ 1st XI produced one of the performances of the week, defeating Hampshire Seniors Over 70s by eight wickets at Twyford Cricket Club.
Hampshire batted first and posted 227 for 2 from their 45 overs, with Andy Jarvis making an excellent unbeaten 115 and Stephen Savage unbeaten on 62.
Berkshire’s reply was outstanding. Phil Ridgeway produced a superb unbeaten 124 from 117 balls, including 20 boundaries, while Ronnie Brock contributed 43 and Ian Harvey finished unbeaten on 38.
Berkshire reached 230 for 2 from just 39.3 overs to complete a convincing victory.
Result:
Hampshire Seniors Over 70s 227/2 (45 overs)
Berkshire Seniors 70+ 1st XI 230/2 (39.3 overs)
Berkshire won by 8 wickets
Chris Harding Memorial Walk
As mentioned last week, Berkshire Seniors Cricket are supporting a memorial walk in honour of former player and umpire Chris Harding, who sadly passed away following a long battle with prostate cancer.
The walk, organised in conjunction with Ron Hedley’s March for Prostate Cancer and the Bob Willis Fund, will take place on Friday 10th July at Woolhampton and aims to raise both awareness and funds for prostate cancer research. Chris was a hugely popular figure within Berkshire Seniors, representing the county at Over 50s, Over 60s and Over 70s level before later qualifying as an umpire. Full details of the walk, how to donate and how to take part can be found by clicking here.
CHECK OUT ALL THE FULL MATCH SCORECARDS HERE