Berkshire Seniors – Weekly Round-Up
Berkshire’s Seniors programme enjoyed another busy week, with the 60+ 2nd XI producing an excellent victory over Wiltshire, while the 60+ 3rd XI narrowly missed out against Suffolk.
Attention now turns to Sunday, with both the 50+ 1st XI and 70+ 1st XI in action in their respective knockout competitions.
60+ 2nd XI – Bowl Competition
Berkshire Cricket’s 60+ 2nd XI produced an excellent all-round performance to beat Wiltshire County Seniors by 73 runs in the 60+ 2nd XI Bowl competition at Melksham CC.
Winning the toss, Wiltshire elected to field, but Berkshire’s batters quickly established control. After losing Ian Andrew Perry for 3, Pav Midha and Graham Cassie put together a superb second-wicket partnership of 128.
Midha played fluently for 64 from 75 balls, including nine fours, while Cassie continued to dominate, eventually making an excellent 91 from 98 balls, with 13 boundaries. Gary Clarke then added a rapid unbeaten 45 from 35 balls, before captain Andrew South finished the innings with 21 not out from just 14 deliveries.
Berkshire closed on an imposing 245/3 from their 40 overs.
Wiltshire made a positive start to their reply, reaching 50 inside nine overs, but Berkshire’s bowlers steadily took control. Jey Jeyarajah removed two of the top order for 20 runs, while Rahul Mohindru claimed an excellent 3/46.
The key breakthrough came from captain Andrew South, who produced an outstanding spell of 4/21 to dismantle the Wiltshire middle and lower order. Wiltshire were eventually bowled out for 172 in 33.2 overs, giving Berkshire a convincing 73-run victory.
It was a particularly impressive team performance, with strong contributions throughout the batting order followed by excellent bowling and fielding.
60+ 3rd XI – Vase Competition
Berkshire’s 60+ 3rd XI travelled to Suffolk for their final fixture of the season in the 60+ 3rd XI Vase, narrowly missing out as Suffolk secured a four-run victory at Kesters Field.
Asked to bat first, Berkshire made a fast start, with Bill Green and Andrew Williams taking advantage of some early inconsistency from the Suffolk attack. However, once the home bowlers settled into their rhythm, scoring became more difficult.
Williams made 23, while Green contributed 17 before both departed. Martin Kay then struck four boundaries in a brisk 25, with Rob Bennett making 12, but Berkshire found themselves under pressure at 91/4.
Veteran Nino Trapani and wicketkeeper-captain Michael Walton attempted to rebuild the innings, with Walton eventually remaining unbeaten on 23 from 51 balls. Dave Pollitt added a valuable 20, sharing a partnership with Walton, while Channisingh Sethi finished unbeaten on 4.
Berkshire closed on 161/7 from their 45 overs, leaving Suffolk needing 162 for victory.
Suffolk started strongly, but Berkshire fought back impressively. Ahmad Rabbani was the standout bowler, claiming 3/32, while Simon Wilkinson took 2/29.
After Suffolk had reached 55/3, Rabbani struck again to remove Viq Ahmed and leave the hosts struggling at 60/4. Berkshire sensed an opportunity to pull off an unlikely victory.
However, Andrew Parkin and Martin Pope steadied the Suffolk innings with an important partnership. Parkin went on to make an excellent 51, while Pope contributed 31, putting Suffolk within sight of victory.
Wilkinson then claimed two late wickets to give Berkshire renewed hope, but Suffolk held their nerve to reach 162/6 in 34.1 overs, winning by four runs.
Despite the narrow defeat, the 60+ 3rd XI can look back on a season of improving performances, including their first-ever league victory over Cornwall. The experience gained throughout the campaign provides plenty of encouragement heading into next season.
Sunday Preview – 50+ 1st XI v Staffordshire
Berkshire’s 50+ 1st XI return to action on Sunday when they welcome Staffordshire Over 50s to Peppard Cricket Club in the 50+ County Championship Plate Knockout.
The knockout fixture presents Berkshire with another opportunity to progress in the competition, with home advantage at Peppard likely to play an important role.
Berkshire will be looking to produce another disciplined all-round performance and secure a place in the next stage of the Plate competition.
Berkshire Cricket 50+ 1st XI v Staffordshire Over 50s
Competition: 50+ County Championship – Plate Knockout 2026
Venue: Peppard Cricket Club
Date: Sunday 16 August 2026
Sunday Preview – 70+ 1st XI v Buckinghamshire
The Berkshire 70+ 1st XI are also in action on Sunday, welcoming Buckinghamshire Over 70s to Royal Ascot Cricket Club in the 70+ 1st XI Bowl competition.
The local fixture provides Berkshire with another opportunity to progress in the Seniors County Cricket Championship, with the team looking to make the most of home advantage at Royal Ascot.
Buckinghamshire will provide strong opposition, but Berkshire will be aiming to continue their competitive performances across the 70+ programme and secure victory in the Bowl competition.
Berkshire Cricket 70+ 1st XI v Buckinghamshire Over 70s
Competition: Seniors County Cricket Championship – 70+ 1st XI Bowl 2026
Venue: Royal Ascot Cricket Club
Date: Sunday 16 August 2026
Looking Ahead
With the 60+ 3rd XI season now complete, the focus moves to the weekend, when Berkshire’s 50+ and 70+ 1st XIswill both be looking to progress in their respective competitions.
It promises to be another important Sunday for Berkshire Seniors, with both sides enjoying home advantage and looking to continue a strong summer across the county’s age-group cricket programme.