Seniors: 50+ 1st XI narrowly beaten by Surrey in Plate Final
Berkshire Cricket’s 50+ 1st XI came within two runs of lifting the Plate at Kibworth CC on Sunday, as Surrey Senior Cricketers Association edged a closely fought final by two wickets.
Berkshire were asked to bat first after Surrey won the toss and produced a competitive 209-7 from their 45 overs. Jim Ettridge led the way with an excellent 62 from 66 balls, including eight fours, while Craig Williams followed with a patient 52 from 103 balls. The pair shared a valuable second-wicket partnership to help establish a solid platform.
Berkshire continued to build through the middle overs, with Williams anchoring the innings before Andy Prasad contributed an unbeaten 20. Pete De Lange added 21, while late contributions from Daminda Kolugala, who struck 11 from just six balls, and captain Duncan Johnson, unbeaten on 14 from seven deliveries, helped Berkshire finish strongly on 209-7.
Surrey’s reply began cautiously, but Khawar Saleem and Muhammad Ali Jaffer gradually established control. Saleem made 38 before falling with the score on 78, while Jaffer went on to produce the innings of the match, finishing unbeaten on 99 from 112 balls, with 10 fours and three sixes.
Berkshire fought hard with the ball and took regular wickets. Duncan Johnson was particularly effective, claiming an impressive 4-39 from his nine overs, while Daminda Kolugala, Chris Bird, Mandip Sohi and Andy Prasad also took wickets.
With Surrey needing 12 runs from the final two overs, the match remained firmly in the balance. However, Jaffer remained at the crease and Surrey eventually reached 210-8 from 43.5 overs to secure a two-wicket victory and the Plate.
Despite the disappointment of such a narrow defeat, reaching the Plate Final capped a strong run for the 50+ 1st XI and provided a fittingly competitive finish to the campaign.
With the Seniors season now drawing to a close, Berkshire Cricket would like to thank all the players, captains, team managers, scorers, umpires, opposition teams, host clubs and everyone else who has supported the county’s senior sides throughout the season.
There has been plenty to celebrate across the Berkshire Seniors programme, with competitive cricket played across the 50+, 60+ and 70+ age groups and another season of county cricket successfully completed.