"Rambo' Barnes steers Berks to Lord's

Anthony Smith • Published 17 Jul 2008 10:00 0 Comments

Oxfordshire 245-7

Berkshire 249-3

Berks won by seven wickets

BLOODIED David Barnes was likened to 'Rambo' after guiding Berkshire to a Lord's final.

The Reading skipper hit a match-winning 79 not out as Berks smashed rivals Oxfordshire by a whopping seven wickets at Banbury to book their place at the home of cricket.

And if the Royal County can overcome Devon, conquerors of Norfolk in the other semi, they will get their hands on the prestigious Minor Counties Cricket Association Trophy for the second time in four years.

If one image summed up Berkshire's spectacular and gritty display in Sunday's semi-final it was of Barnes emerging victorious in his bloodstained whites.

He gloved the first ball of the innings - an accidental beamer from Oxon's Jack Brooks - onto his chin causing a deep wound that forced him off the pitch. But he returned to the crease later to play a starring role.

"It just slipped out of their guy's hand," said Barnes. "It got through the grill and made a little cut just below my chin.

"We struggled to stop the bleeding so I went off to get it patched up. It didn't really hurt much - it was more of an irritation so I was fine to go back out.But it was a great effort from the boys and we're all psyched and looking forward to Lord's."

Berks manager David Morris led the praise for Barnes, stating: "I don't usually like to single out players for special mention, but the guts and determination of David Barnes was truly immense.

"On leaving the field he looked more like Rambo than a cricketer. It's a good job he's made of granite."

Berks, being the away side, started as slight underdogs only to steamroller their arch rivals.

Oxon decided to bat first but their 245-7 from their allotted 50 overs always looked a shade light.

Ex-Berks and Henley star David Taylor was their chief runmaker with 84 that included five sixes and three fours.

But a toe injury, which meant he required a runner, restricted his freedom and his stumps were finally rearranged by Tom Lambert (2-58).

Pro Richard Johnson bagged 2-51 while Carl Crowe (1-55), brother Craig (1-29) and a run out thanks to a direct hit from James Morris accounted for Berks' fine efforts in the field.

"Oxfordshire thought they had posted a decent score," added Morris. "We weren't so sure of that."

So it proved as Berks made a blistering start through Mitchell Stokes and Craig Crowe, who took Barnes' place after the bloody first ball incident.

Stokes smacked 56 off just 33 balls and his 78-run stand with Crowe laid the foundations.

When Crowe departed for 23 it brought Barnes back to the crease and the Sonning Lane hero was clearly fired up.

He put on 42 with Jono McLean (16), then forged an unbeaten stand of 112 with captain Bjorn Mordt to see Berks to victory on 249-3 with five overs to spare.

He faced 122 balls for his 79no including nine fours, while Mordt thumped 46no off just 55 balls with six fours. Oxon also leaked 29 extras which summed up their failings on the day.

Berks, who won the competition in 2004, now face Devon in the final on Wednesday, August 6 and are planning to run a number of supporters' coaches from the area.

They also have the psychological edge having already beaten Devon in the group stages of the Trophy.

"We would love massive support at Lord's," declared Mordt. "It would be great to be welcomed by our ever-increasing band of followers."

l BERKS return to Minor Counties Championship action this Sunday with a three-day clash against Herefordshire at Finchampstead CC (11am).

A win would restore Berks' hopes of challenging for the Western Division title after last week's setback in Wales where they lost by nine wickets in a rain-affected game.

Professional Richard Johnson is unavailable but Berkshire have signed young Hampshire and Henley seamer David Griffiths as a replacement. Spinner Paul Carter is also set to step in for the unavailable Craig Crowe.

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 17 Jul 08

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