BERKSHIRE MAKE HISTORY WITH WHITE-BALL DOUBLE
HISTORY MAKERS
Berkshire Cricket have etched their names into the history books after becoming the first county ever to win both the NCCA 50-over and Dojo T20 Cup competitions in the same season.
On a glorious Sunday at the breathtaking Wormsley Estate, Berkshire produced two thrilling victories to complete an extraordinary white-ball double — adding the Dojo T20 Cup to the 50-over trophy they lifted earlier in the season.
And, fittingly, they did it the hard way.
In front of a huge crowd on one of the most beautiful cricket grounds in the country, Berkshire showed everything that has characterised their season: skill, resilience, courage and an unwavering belief in one another.
The Berkshire supporters were immense throughout the day, creating an atmosphere that lifted the players through two high-pressure matches and helped make Finals Day a truly memorable occasion.
SEMI-FINAL: BERKSHIRE BEAT DEVON
Berkshire won the toss and elected to bowl first against a strong Devon side, knowing that victory would earn them a place in the afternoon’s Dojo T20 Cup final.
Devon made a flying start, with Dan Pyle striking a superb 56 from just 34 balls, while Seb Linnitt added an excellent 44 from 33.
Berkshire, however, kept fighting back throughout the innings.
Andy Rishton and Sulaiman Akhtar were outstanding with the ball, taking two wickets apiece, while Euan Woods also chipped in with an important wicket.
Despite a late assault from Sam Read, who smashed an unbeaten 30 from just 14 balls, Berkshire restricted Devon to 152-7 from their 18 overs.
The chase began positively, although Berkshire soon found themselves 48-3, with Devon sensing an opportunity to put the pressure on.
Enter Captain Johnny Connell.
The Berkshire opener produced a sensational innings of controlled aggression, carrying his bat for an unbeaten 86 from just 47 balls, including five fours and five sixes.
He found an excellent partner in Euan Woods, who made a valuable 30 from 27 balls, before Andrew MacEwen arrived at the finish and smashed an unbeaten 21 from just nine balls.
MacEwen’s extraordinary late hitting ensured Berkshire crossed the line with one over to spare, finishing on 156-4 from 17 overs.
Berkshire were through to the final.
But the job was only half done.
Waiting for them was an excellent Bedfordshire side.
THE FINAL: BERKSHIRE BEAT BEDFORDSHIRE BY ONE RUN
If the semi-final had been impressive, the final was something else entirely.
Berkshire won the toss and elected to bat first, but Bedfordshire’s bowlers made life extremely difficult for the Berkshire batting line-up.
The top order struggled to find its rhythm and at 57-5, the prospect of lifting the trophy appeared to be slipping away.
But this Berkshire side has repeatedly shown throughout the season that it refuses to surrender.
Charlie Dunnett played a crucial innings of 31 from 29 balls to steady the innings, before Andrew MacEwen added an important 27 from 21.
Then came the late flourish.
Andy Rishton, unbeaten on 23 from just 14 balls, and Sulaiman Akhtar, unbeaten on 10 from 10, dragged Berkshire to a competitive 149-7 from their 20 overs.
It was a total that perhaps felt slightly below par.
But Berkshire had something that cannot be measured on a scorecard.
Belief.
And a bowling attack that had delivered throughout the competition.
WOODS LEADS THE FIGHTBACK
Bedfordshire’s chase began disastrously when Jake Tarling was bowled by Euan Woods with just the second ball of the innings.
But Theodore Robinson and Kashif Ali rebuilt the Bedfordshire innings before Berkshire struck again.
Samm Daniel removed Robinson for 19, while Andy Rishton dismissed Jamie Dunk.
At 65-4, Berkshire were firmly in the contest.
But Kashif Ali was beginning to take control.
The Bedfordshire batter played superbly, eventually making 67 from 49 balls, and with Patrick Harrington joining him for a dangerous partnership, the equation began to swing heavily in Bedfordshire’s favour.
With just three wickets remaining, Bedfordshire were within touching distance of victory.
The trophy appeared to be heading away from Berkshire.
Then, once again, this remarkable group of players found another gear.
Euan Woods produced the spell of the final, finishing with magnificent figures of 3-25 from his four overs.
Bedfordshire entered the final over needing just 7 runs.
Euan Woods then bowled a brilliant finishing over that brought 2 big wickets and with the last ball Bedfordshire needed 3 to win. A lusty blow down the ground and everyone held their breath as Sully Akhtar glided around the boundary and made an incredible stop and then with a bullet throw to MacEwan the game was won!
Bedfordshire finished on 148-7.
Berkshire had won by ONE RUN.
The celebrations that followed were extraordinary.
Players, coaches, staff and supporters erupted together as Berkshire were crowned Dojo T20 Cup champions.
And with that victory came something even more significant.
History.
THE WHITE-BALL DOUBLE
Earlier in the season, Berkshire had already conquered the NCCA 50-over competition.
Now they had added the Dojo T20 Cup.
Two white-ball competitions.
Two trophies.
One extraordinary season.
Berkshire are the first county ever to complete the NCCA white-ball double.
It is an achievement that will live long in the history of Berkshire Cricket.
And it was achieved by a group that has consistently demonstrated the qualities required to win big games: skill, togetherness, resilience and, above all, the courage to embrace pressure.
For Head Coach Bjorn Mordt, the achievement was a hugely proud moment.
“I am incredibly proud of what these boys have achieved this year. They were simply brilliant today. I spoke at the beginning of the day about enjoying the pressure moments and embracing them when they come and being brave and they went above and beyond in that final when they dragged themselves out of the jaws of defeat to beat an excellent Bedfordshire team. All the boys showed up today and it was pleasing to see everyone step up in different moments to put their stamp on finals day. Johnny Connell has been an excellent captain through out the competition and he delivered again today in that semifinal. ”
Those words perfectly summed up the day.
Berkshire didn’t simply win the final.
They found a way to win it.