BRADFIELD CC lifted the Mortimer 6s title on a day when local cricket paid tribute to their president, Neil Johnson.

Long-serving stalwart Johnson passed away last week, having watched all three of Bradfield’s Saturday league sides pick up wins the previous weekend.

Players from all teams competing in the annual Mortimer 6s tournament held a minute’s applause in Johnson’s honour before the start of play on Sunday.

And no doubt Johnson would have been smiling from above as Bradfield showed their class to take the title once again.

They defeated the hosts by five wickets in the final at a packed Mortimer Fairground to the delight of their supporters.

Mortimer had made a decent fist of things, reaching 53-2 from their five allotted overs thanks to Anil Shabir (23) and Martin Cooper (16).

With wide deliveries counting as six extras, youngster Eddie Jackson (1-5) was the pick of the Bradfield attack.

And it was left to Mortimer St. Mary’s pupil Jackson to hit the winning runs as Bradfield ended 54-1 after important knocks from Jimmy Stansfield (19 ret) and Mark Bolton (10 no).

Earlier in the competition, there were stand-out performances from the Horse & Groom’s Wayne Wharton, who bagged 2-2 against The Bouncers.

Mortimer skipper Archie Fritz (24 ret) and Cooper (22) also put on a half-century opening stand in their win against The Bouncers.

Bradfield’s Neil Goodwin also shone in a knock of 34 before retiring as they reached 103-1 in a 56-run victory against Team Z.

Sabir struck a quickfire 32 not out for Mortimer as they defeated the Horse & Groom, with Jake Fritz taking two wickets in a rare, maiden over.

Jackson also claimed another two wickets for only three runs in a memorable over against The President’s team, a feat equalled by Stansfield in the same match.

Eddie’s brother, George (1-3), also claimed a vital wicket for Team Z against Presidents, only to end up on the losing side.

But it was Bradfield who prevailed in the final, taking over from Silchester as Mortimer 6s champions.

Around £800 was raised on the day which Mortimer will use to help purchase a new roller for their pitch.