Seniors Weekly Round-Up – Mixed Fortunes Across the County
There was a full programme of Berkshire Seniors cricket this week, with the 50+ 2nd XI providing the highlight through two excellent victories. It proved a more difficult week for the three 60+ sides and the 70+ 1st XI, who all came up against strong opposition.
50+ 2nd XI continue winning run
The Berkshire 50+ 2nd XI enjoyed another outstanding week with back-to-back victories to strengthen their position in Group C.
On Wednesday they travelled to Sparsholt to face Hampshire, successfully chasing 241 to win by seven wickets with more than eight overs to spare.
After Hampshire posted 240-8, Andy Parham produced an excellent spell of 4-25 while Saraff Saleem claimed 2-28 and Sean Taylor added two wickets to keep the target within reach.
The chase was dominated by a magnificent second-wicket partnership between Pankaj Garg and Ian Dawkins. Garg was in superb form, striking 113 from just 98 balls, including 17 fours and two sixes, while Dawkins anchored the innings beautifully with an unbeaten 72. The pair took Berkshire to the brink of victory before Ravi Godbole finished the job as Berkshire reached 241-3 in just 36.5 overs.
The winning momentum continued 24 hours later at Wraysbury against Bedfordshire. Batting first, Berkshire amassed an imposing 277-7 thanks to another fine top-order display. Daniel Gear made 73, Ian Dawkins added 46 before Andy Mills produced the innings of the day with a blistering 70 from only 39 deliveries, featuring five fours and four sixes. Useful late contributions from Rob Ettridge (19) and Andy Parham (15 not out) completed an excellent total.
Bedfordshire never recovered after Ravi Godbole ripped through the middle order, returning outstanding figures of 5-44. Andy Parham supported well with 2-51 as Berkshire dismissed the visitors for 200 to complete an impressive 77-run victory.
Tough afternoon for 60+ 1st XI
The 60+ 1st XI endured a difficult day against Hampshire at Peppard CC.
Hampshire piled up 276-6 from their 40 overs with Paul Scanlon leading the way with 77. Phil Ridgeway was Berkshire’s most successful bowler, taking 3-50, while Ian Harvey and Nick Turner each claimed a wicket.
In reply, Berkshire struggled to build partnerships against disciplined bowling. Phil Ridgeway top scored with 25, while Peter Henly made 17 and Steve Clarke 13, but regular wickets saw Berkshire dismissed for 115, giving Hampshire victory by 161 runs.
Narrow defeat for 60+ 2nd XI
The 60+ 2nd XI were edged out by four wickets away to Kent after a closely contested encounter.
Batting first, Berkshire posted a competitive 196-7. Graham Cassie led the scoring with an excellent 50 from only 40 balls, Ian Andrew Perry contributed a patient 42, while Pav Midha made 37. Ronnie Brock (23 not out) and Rahul Mohindru (11 not out) added valuable late runs to give Berkshire a defendable total.
Kent’s chase was held in check for long periods thanks to Ronnie Brock’s excellent spell of 3-14 and Rahul Mohindru’s economical 2-17. Chris Symonds also picked up a wicket, but Ahmed Khan’s well-made 80 provided the foundation for the home side, who reached their target with seven balls remaining.
60+ 3rd XI beaten despite solid total
The 60+ 3rd XI also suffered defeat after posting 182-3 against Oxfordshire.
Bill Green retired unbeaten on 50 and Michael Walton retired on 27 after laying a solid platform. Jonathan Aldous added 22, Martin Kay scored 23, while Richard Wyatt finished unbeaten on 24 alongside Ahmad Rabbani (11 not out).
After rain revised Oxfordshire’s target to 183 from 40 overs, the hosts chased confidently to reach 186-3 in just 34 overs. Andy Haynes led the reply with 67, while Mike Howat contributed 33. Ahmad Rabbani, Nigel Haines and Richard Wyatt each claimed a wicket but Oxfordshire secured victory by seven wickets.
70+ 1st XI fall to Wiltshire
The 70+ 1st XI were beaten by a strong Wiltshire side at Biddestone.
Wiltshire accumulated 250-3 from their 40 overs, with Tim Mynott making 75 and Tim Lerwill 62. Phil Ridgeway was the standout Berkshire bowler with excellent figures of 2-30, while David Brown claimed the other wicket.
Berkshire’s reply never gained sustained momentum despite Phil Ridgeway’s brisk 33 and Ian Stuart’s 24. Colin Ainger (19) and Emmet Donegan (13) also made useful contributions, but Wiltshire’s varied attack shared the wickets to bowl Berkshire out for 145 and seal a 105-run victory.
Thank You
Finally, Berkshire Seniors Cricket would like to extend its sincere thanks to all the clubs who continue to host our county fixtures throughout the season. The willingness of clubs to make their grounds available, often with considerable behind-the-scenes preparation, is hugely appreciated. We would also like to thank the umpires and scorers whose commitment and professionalism make every match possible. Their dedication, along with the support of countless volunteers, is an essential part of the success of seniors cricket across the county.
Check out all the full match scorecards on the Berkshire Cricket website.