Reading CC skipper Barr gives Alex a Patt on the back

Sportsdesk • Published 28 Jun 2012 17:00 0 Comments

READING CC skipper David Barr hailed the 'superb' performance of Alex Patterson after the Aussie bowler single-handedly ripped through High Wycombe 2nds on Saturday.

Patterson returned figures of 7-25 as High Wycombe were skittled out for just 67, setting up Reading for a second successive 10-wicket win at home.

The victory, coupled with Wokingham's loss to Beaconsfield, moves Barr's men back to the top of Thames Valley Division One.

And the skipper was full of praise for the display from Patterson, as well as the sharp fielding from his side.

"Alex bowled superbly well. What pleased me most is that he was able to maintain his pace into the 14th over. He's got great ability to bowl for long spells at a sustained pace and that is a great weapon to have," Barr, pictured right, told the Chronicle.

"He also got some movement off the seam and was a real handful."

"Gareth Harte and Paul De Chaud took some excellent slip catches and Gareth got a run-out as well. Then we knocked off the runs pretty easily thanks to Gareth and Paul. Those three players were crucial to us winning and I have to say their attitude and performances for us have been outstanding, and they set a great example to the other players."

High Wycombe's innings got off to a disastrous start after they elected to bat, with Patterson claiming two scalps without a run on the board.

John Stevens (16) and Mark Morgan (16) offered brief resistance but their spells at the crease were ended by Patterson and David Hartley (2-14) respectively.

And once they fell the rest followed, with Hartley and Patterson mopping up the tail and leaving Rory Wilson on 12 not out.

De Chaud (41*) and Harte (27*) then comfortably knocked off the runs to give Reading a perfect response to their loss at Kew the week before.

"It was nice to get the win after the disappointment at Kew. Alex's bowling was the linch pin really and it was an important victory," said Barr.

"We're back on top of the table but it's a bit early to think about that. There's a long way to go and all we can do is concentrate on our own performances."

Reading travel to local rivals Finchampstead this Saturday (1pm start) and Barr is wary of the threat they pose, even though they are yet to win this season.

"They have a decent side and it won't be an easy game, but hopefully we can carry on from last week," he commented.

"Matt Jones is a very good young cricketer who scored a hundred for Berkshire this week. Dan Lincoln has also been playing well and I know some of their younger players from coaching the county youth teams. We're old rivals and we're looking forward to the challenge."

Barr's side have been boosted by the return of Shelvin Gumbs from university and expect him to be available for the rest of the season.

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 28 Jun 12

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