Berkshire Seniors Update
Weather once again played a significant part in Berkshire Seniors’ programme this week, with three fixtures lost to rain and one abandoned. However, there was still plenty of action for those sides fortunate enough to take the field, highlighted by an impressive victory for the Berkshire 50+ 2nd XI against Wiltshire.
The week’s results saw Berkshire record one victory and two defeats from the completed fixtures, while the 60+ 2nd XI, 60+ 3rd XI and 70+ 1st XI all saw their matches curtailed by the weather.
50+ 2nd XI County Championship – Group C
Berkshire 50+ 2nd XI enjoyed an excellent day at Henley-on-Thames CC, recording a comprehensive 76-run victory over Wiltshire to claim maximum points in Group C.
Having been invited to bat first on a testing pitch, Berkshire recovered from an early wobble to post 203 for 9 from their 45 overs. Andy Mills led the way with a fluent 64 from just 58 deliveries, striking nine boundaries in an innings that provided the backbone of the total.
After Berkshire slipped to 52 for 3, Mills combined with Upendra Deshpande (20) to rebuild the innings before further contributions from Ravi Godbole (13), Andy Parham (20) and an unbeaten 23 from Aroun Jayabalan carried Berkshire beyond the 200-mark. An additional 22 extras also proved valuable.
Wiltshire’s chase never gained momentum against a disciplined Berkshire bowling attack. They lost their skipper and opening bat to a back spasm after the first over. Nick Jephson (21) and Justin Wagstaff (24) battled hard, but Berkshire’s bowlers consistently applied pressure and wickets fell at regular intervals.
James Summers made the initial breakthrough and finished with figures of 2 for 19 from nine overs, while Ravi Godbole produced the standout spell of the innings, claiming 4 for 44. Andy Parham then wrapped up the lower order with an excellent return of 3 for 11 from 5.2 overs.
Berkshire’s control was further demonstrated by the miserly bowling of Mark Dozell, whose nine overs yielded just 12 runs and included three maidens.
Wiltshire were eventually restricted to 127 all out in 38.2 overs, sealing an emphatic Berkshire victory by 76 runs and a deserved maximum-points return, which leaves them with a 100% record and top of their division. Next week the 50+2nd XI travel to Hawridge & Cholesbury to take on neighbours Buckinghamshire.
National 60+ Division 1 South
Berkshire 60+ 1st XI suffered a narrow defeat against Middlesex Seniors Cricket in an entertaining contest at Harpsden CC.
Asked to bat first after Middlesex won the toss, Berkshire posted 194 for 9 from their 45 overs thanks to a series of useful contributions throughout the order. Phil Ridgeway top-scored with 39, Steve Clarke added 38 and Chris Garrod contributed 26, while Chris Petts chipped in with 24.
The innings was progressing steadily before Middlesex fought back strongly in the latter stages, with Charles Scholefield claiming 4 for 31 and Andrew Marshall taking 2 for 43.
Middlesex’s reply was built around Simon Battersby’s 48 and valuable contributions throughout the middle order. Berkshire kept themselves firmly in the contest through Paul Morgan, Phil Ridgeway and Peter Henly, who each claimed two wickets to leave the visitors needing further runs with only three wickets remaining.
However, Stephen Walsh’s unbeaten 32 from 25 balls proved decisive as Middlesex reached 197 for 7 with ten deliveries to spare, securing a three-wicket victory.
50+ County Championship – Group 5
Berkshire 50+ 1st XI were unable to defend a competitive total as Kent claimed an eight-wicket victory at Finchampstead.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Berkshire recovered from an uncertain start to post 231 for 6 from their 45 overs. Pankaj Garg anchored the innings superbly with an unbeaten 87 from 109 deliveries, while Richard O’Toole accelerated during the closing stages with a well-made 55 from 62 balls.
The pair helped Berkshire recover from 68 for 4 and set Kent a target of 232.
Berkshire made an encouraging start with the ball as Daminda Kolugala and Chris Bird each claimed a wicket to reduce Kent to 50 for 2. However, Kent’s Grant Sheen and Will House then took control of the contest with an unbroken third-wicket partnership of 184.
House finished unbeaten on 105, while Sheen completed an excellent all-round performance with 78 not out as Kent reached 234 for 2 in 40 overs to secure victory.
National 60+ Division 2
The Berkshire 60+ 2nd XI were due to host Hampshire Seniors CC 60+ 2nd XI at Eversley Cross Green, but persistent rain meant the match was cancelled without a ball being bowled.
National 60+ Division 3
The Berkshire 60+ 3rd XI also fell victim to the weather, with their fixture against Sussex 50+ 60+ 3rd XI at Hurley CC cancelled before play could begin.
National 70+ Division 1
The weather continued to frustrate Berkshire’s senior sides on Thursday as the National 70+ Division 1 fixture away to Warwickshire Seniors Cricket Association at Alcester & Ragley CC was abandoned.
With conditions preventing any meaningful play, both sides were forced to settle for shared points.
Results Summary
50+ 2nd XI County Championship – Group C
Berkshire 203-9 beat Wiltshire County Seniors CC 127 all out by 76 runs.
National 60+ Division 1 South
Middlesex Seniors Cricket 197-7 beat Berkshire 194-9 by 3 wickets.
50+ County Championship – Group 5
Kent 234-2 beat Berkshire 231-6 by 8 wickets.
National 60+ Division 2
Berkshire v Hampshire – Cancelled.
National 60+ Division 3
Berkshire v Sussex – Cancelled.
National 70+ Division 1
Warwickshire v Berkshire – Abandoned.
CHECK OUT ALL THE FULL MATCH SCORECARDS HERE