Berks finish in record-breaking style

Anthony Smith • Published 25 Aug 2009 18:00 0 Comments

BERKSHIRE ended their Minor Counties Championship campaign with a record-breaking draw against Oxfordshire.

There were four centuries in three days at Falkland CC, three of them from Berks players.

James Morris stole the limelight with a magnificent 156 in the second innings with skipper Bjorn Mordt unbeaten on 123.

And the Henley pair were involved in a stand of 185 - the highest ever for the seventh wicket - passing the previous best of 151 set by E. Maule and N. Harding back in 1935.

The old record had nearly been broken in the first winnings when Steve Naylor, who made 136, and Chris Peploe (52) put on 142 to get Berks out of trouble.

Though the Royal County came up short of victory, they at least ended the season in good form.

Last season's champions had a poor start and were bottom of the Western Division after four games.

But their last two games brought a victory over Wiltshire and now a spirited draw with Oxon.

Manager David Morris said: "We have certainly finished the season far better than we started it.

"We saw some superb knocks from James, Bjorn Mordt and Steve Naylor, while Richard Logan followed up his five wickets with a quick 43."

Berks recovered from 93-6 to post 288 in their first innings with Oxon skipper Paul MacMahon taking 6-103.

Oxon replied with 360 largely thanks to 105 from Craig Haupt, while Logan snared 5-83.

The hosts, with a deficit of 72, slumped to 113-5 in their second innings before Morris, promoted to No.3 in the order, and No.8 Mordt helped build up a huge lead, breaking records along the way.

Morris spent more than five hours at the crease and hit 20 fours and two sixes in his first century for the senior side.

Mordt's 123 came off just 113 balls and the skipper eventually declared on 409-7, setting Oxon an improbably task of 357 to win from less than 40 overs.

The visitors reached 77-0 before bad light stopped play, though Morris insisted: "We felt we could not get into a winning position ourselves, but we had no intention of laying down and letting Oxfordshire roll over us. That is why the declaration was delayed."

Cheshire have won the Western Division title and will now meet Easter Division winner Bucks in a play-off for the overall championship.

"We are handing over the crown to one of them, but you can be sure we will be going all out to get the title back next year," declared Morris.

Featuring a strong contingent of Falkland players, Berkshire Gentlemen drew their fixture away to Hampshire Hogs at Warnford. The hosts recovered from 119-5 to reach a challenging 244-6 declared.

In reply the Gents were always struggling to keep up with the required rate despite some inviting slow bowling from the wily Hogs veteran Chris Bazalghette (3-65).

Although Andy Bolan (58) and Khalid Zafar (52) both completed half centuries, the target proved out of reach as wickets fell regularly and the Gents had to hold out for a draw at 208 for 9.

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