Published: Wednesday, 25th June, 2008 12:00
'Fantastic' Berks salvage battling draw
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BERKSHIRE manager David Morris has heaped praise on his players after they rescued a draw from their Minor Counties Championship clash at Devon with a sensational final session on Tuesday.
All looked lost for Berks when the hosts were 71-0 at tea on the final day, chasing just 167. But the visitors came out after the interval and ripped though the home side’s batting line-up, leaving them 151-8 at close of play to snatch the unlikeliest of draws.
Morris was left full of pride after the display and admitted the draw felt much more like a win.
He said: “It was absolutely fantastic from our lads. I’ve never seen them play better considering Devon were 71-0 at tea. It was tremendous from the bowlers and fielders.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the players. We may have ended up sharing the points but we felt like we’d got out of jail and won the game while they felt like they’d lost.
“Devon are a very strong side and bearing in mind the position they’re in, it was just phenomenal. We’ve done ourselves proud.”
The two teams were almost level after their first innings with Berkshire, who batted first, posting 288-9 while the home side replied with 311-9.
Steven Naylor was the Berks hero from the opening day as his superb 125 from 171 balls helped get them out of trouble after they had been struggling at 37-4.
Trailing by 23 runs going into the second innings Morris’ men needed a strong start from their top order but it didn’t materialise as David Barnes (5), Daniel Shilvock (3) and Jonno McLean (2) all fell cheaply.
James Morris (28) and Steven Naylor (16) also went before the close of the second day and going into Tuesday the visitors were 54-5. They needed someone to post a good knock and Jonathon Trower answered the call with an unbeaten 52.
He was well supported by Tom Lambert (13) and the pair put on what would prove to be a vital stand of 40 for the final wicket as Berks were eventually all out for 188.
That left the hosts needing 167 to win and when they were 71-0 at tea it looked like it would be a procession. But Lambert, Morris and Naylor swung the game completely after the interval with some superb bowling and Devon closed the match holding on at 151-8.
The display left the manager beaming, and Morris added: “It was brilliant. Jonathon Trower’s innings was vital and Tom Lambert has a heart the size of a lion. Those two put on 40 for the final wicket and that made a match saving difference.
“Everyone’s buoyant after that result. We’ve got Wales in two weeks’ time and then we’ve got our Association Trophy semi-final – now we go onto those games on a high.”
Shersia Gumbs was in fantastic form for Berkshire Girls u13s as they saw off Bucks by 56 runs.
Gumbs hit 39 with the bat as, with valuable support from Briony Hearn (30), she helped Berks post 130 all out.
And she then took over with the ball, taking five wickets for no runs as Bucks were knocked over for 74. Izzy Collis also chipped in with 3-18 from five overs.
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