Relief for Morris after first victory

Anthony Smith • Published 12 Aug 2009 10:00 0 Comments

BERKSHIRE manager David Morris spoke of his relief after his side secured their first win of the Minor Counties Championship season by walloping Wiltshire by an innings and 35 runs.

The Royal County hammered Wilts at Salisbury inside two-and-a-half days to move off the foot of the Western Division table.

And it was a welcome return to winning ways for Berks who have struggled to hit the heights of last season when they won the championship title.

Morris admitted: "It's been a while since we won a game in this competition so it is a very nice feeling. It gets us back on track and the players can take a lot of confidence from the game, we played very well.

"This result should also take us up the table and there is a feeling of relief in the dressing room because we've had our problems this season with things like injuries and selection."

Berks dominated the three-day clash almost from start to finish and posted an impressive 331-6 declared in their first innings. David Barnes top scored with 75 and combined with Dan Shilvock (70) for a first wicket partnership of 142.

James Morris provided support with 42 and man-of-the-match Richard Logan made his first big impression of the match by hammering 50no off just 28 balls to boost Berkshire's total.

The visitors then put Wilts to the sword with Logan and Chris Peploe picking up a staggering eight wickets apiece.

The hosts collapsed to 60 all out in their reply with Peploe taking an incredible 4-5 and Logan 4-32, giving Berks a mammoth first innings lead of 271.

And the deadly duo were at it again as Wilts could only manage 236 from their second innings with Peploe bagging 4-61 and Logan 4-62 to complete a one-sided victory.

Only a superb knock of 106 from Wiltshire's Michael Coles saved his side from an even greater embarrassment.

And Morris added: "I must give credit to Michael Coles and his fine innings. I also thought he was unlucky to be given out.

"I'm more pleased with the effort my boys put in and the challenge now is to maintain this level of performance."

Berkshire's final championship match of the season is against Oxfordshire at Falkland CC from August 23-25.

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