Berkshire Seniors: Four Wins and a Narrow Defeat as Knockout Push Continues
It was another excellent week for Berkshire Cricket’s Seniors, with four wins from the five matches played across the 50+, 60+ and 70+ age groups.
The 50+ 1st XI, 50+ 2nd XI and 70+ 1st XI all recorded important knockout victories, while the 60+ 1st XI suffered a narrow five-wicket defeat against Hampshire.
50+ 1st XI produce stunning chase against Staffordshire
Berkshire’s 50+ 1st XI produced one of the performances of the week, chasing down 307 against Staffordshire at Peppard Cricket Club to win by five wickets with 15 balls to spare.
After being asked to field first, Berkshire conceded a big total as Staffordshire opener Sean Price smashed 135 from 128 balls, including 18 fours and two sixes. Robert Lawrence added 52 and G Tomkins 36 as Staffordshire reached 307-6 from their 45 overs.
Berkshire’s bowlers kept taking wickets throughout the innings, with Daminda Kolugala, Simon Foster and Mandip Sohi all taking two wickets.
The response was emphatic.
Craig Williams produced a magnificent 147 from 120 balls, hitting 24 fours, while Mannu Rawat provided excellent support with 72 from 84 balls. The pair put on 186 for the second wicket, taking Berkshire to 258 before Williams was dismissed.
With Jason Vaughan-Davies adding 11, captain Duncan Johnson 10 not out and Richard O’Toole 10, Berkshire completed the chase at 310-5 in 42.3 overs.
A superb five-wicket victory and a place in the 50+ semi-finals, where Berkshire will face Devon.
70+ 1st XI overcome Bucks to progress
The 70+ 1st XI began their knockout campaign with an impressive 100-run victory over Bucks at Royal Ascot Cricket Club.
Batting first, Berkshire posted an imposing 306-8 from their 45 overs.
There were major contributions throughout the top order, with Phil Ridgeway making 57, Ian Stuart 89 and Ronnie Brock 52. Emmet Donegan added a useful 25 late in the innings as Berkshire passed 300.
Bucks made a determined response, led by a superb 116 not out from Keith Wallis, but Berkshire’s bowling attack kept control of the game.
Chad Cudjoe was outstanding, taking 3-17 from his nine overs, including four maidens. Ian Harvey, Jonathan Aldous and Nigel Haines also claimed wickets as Bucks finished on 206-6 from their 45 overs.
Berkshire therefore won by 100 runs to progress through the first knockout round and subsequently into the quarter-final stage.
The 70+ 1st XI then continued their run with victory over Wiltshire and will now face Norfolk in the semi-final.
50+ 2nd XI defeat Kent to reach final
The 50+ 2nd XI also continued their excellent cup campaign with a 22-run victory over Kent 50+ ‘A’ XI at Wraysbury.
Berkshire were asked to bat first and posted 226-7 from their 45 overs.
It was built around two excellent innings at the top of the order, with Daniel Gear making 52 and Pankaj Garg 58. Ian Dawkins then added a valuable 45, including a six, to keep Berkshire moving towards a competitive total.
Kent’s reply reached 204-9 from their 45 overs, with Daniel Tingley making 50 and Neil Taylor 33.
Berkshire’s bowlers kept the pressure on throughout, with Mark Dozell taking 3-26, while Andrew Parham and Andy Prasad claimed two wickets apiece.
Kent finished 22 runs short and Berkshire secured another important knockout victory.
The reward is a place in the 50+ 2nd XI final, where Berkshire will face Yorkshire or Cornwall.
60+ 1st XI narrowly beaten by Hampshire
There was disappointment for the 60+ 1st XI, who suffered a narrow five-wicket defeat against Hampshire at Basingstoke.
Berkshire posted 216-8 from their 45 overs, recovering from a difficult start thanks to a series of important partnerships.
Upendra Deshpande top-scored with 59, while Steve Clarke made 37 and John Bates added 24. Phil Ridgeway contributed 28 at the top of the order, with Peter Henly and Ian Harvey unbeaten at the close.
Berkshire’s bowlers made early inroads into the Hampshire innings, but Andrew Steggall (56) and Chris Tollerfield (54) put Hampshire firmly in control with a century opening partnership.
After those wickets fell, Neil Taylor and David Price guided Hampshire home, with Price finishing unbeaten on 38.
Hampshire reached 217-5 in 39.2 overs to win by five wickets.
A narrow defeat, but another competitive performance from Berkshire’s 60+ 1st XI.
70+ 1st XI complete double success against Wiltshire
The 70+ 1st XI followed their win over Bucks with another excellent knockout victory, defeating Wiltshire by 27 runsat The Recreation Ground.
Berkshire were again asked to bat first and posted 278-8 from their 45 overs, with Phil Ridgeway producing an outstanding unbeaten 174.
Ridgeway’s remarkable innings came from just 130 balls and included 31 fours, carrying his bat through the entire innings. Ian Harvey added 28, while Berkshire’s lower order contributed enough to take the total towards 280.
Wiltshire’s reply was led by Tim Lerwill, who made 85, while Ian Swain added 38 and John Sanders 31.
Berkshire kept the pressure on, however, with David Brown taking 3-46, supported by wickets from Phil Ridgeway, Chad Cudjoe and Errol Masters.
Wiltshire finished on 251-7 from their 45 overs, leaving Berkshire 27 runs ahead.
That victory confirmed Berkshire’s place in the 70+ semi-final against Norfolk.
Knockout stages ahead
The Seniors programme now enters a hugely exciting stage of the season:
- 50+ 1st XI – Semi-final vs Devon
- 50+ 2nd XI – Final vs Yorkshire or Cornwall
- 70+ 1st XI – Semi-final vs Norfolk
With three Berkshire sides still involved in the latter stages of their respective competitions, there is plenty more to look forward to.
A huge thank you once again to all the hosting clubs, whose hospitality and facilities have helped make these fixtures possible, as well as to the umpires, scorers and everyone involved in supporting the Seniors programmethroughout the season.
Their contribution is hugely appreciated by Berkshire Cricket and our players.
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