Devon Cricket Board - Bradley takes four as Berks bow out for 187

Bradley takes four as Berks bow out for 187

SKIPPER Chris Bradley grabbed four wickets as Berkshire were spun out for 187 at Finchampstead today.
Berkshire, 83 for two at lunch, collapsed to 108 for eight with Bradley taking three wickets in six balls along the way.

But, after losing six wickets for 22 runs, Berkshire fought back. And with Chris Peploe making a defiant half-century they recovered from 112 for eight to reach 187 for nine at tea.

Bradley finished things off by taking the last wicket.

Berkshire, who opted to bat first, found runs hard to come by against Devon’s four-man seam attack, supplemented by spinner Chris Bradley.

Opening bowler Charlie Morris, who was brought into the 12 for the trip, got the nod ahead of leg-spinning all-rounder Matt Golding when the team sheets were handed in.

Devon had to wait until the 11th over for a breakthrough – opener David Barnes pushing forward to Trevor Anning and snicking a catch to David Lye in the gully.

Anning bowled up the Finchampstead hill without further reward for an hour and half until he was relieved by Peter Bradley.

Bradley needed just six balls to take a wicket when he had surviving opener David Barnes caught at slip by Holman, leaving Berkshire 54 for two.

First to fall after lunch was James Morris, who set off for a single to cover and found batting partner Matt Jones wasn’t going anywhere at the other end.

Morris didn’t even attempt to get back before Seb Benton’s throw winged in.

Jones was caught in the cordon by Benton three runs later, reducing Berkshire 93 for four.

Steve Naylor and Euan Brock set about rescuing the situation, but with limited effect.

Naylor can’t resist having a go sometimes and on 108 he launched himself at Ryan Bougourd and was well caught at mid-off by Rob Holman for 14.

Brock went soon after, caught behind trying to paddle spinner Chris Bradley round the corner.

Stewart Davison was in and out in four balls – Bradley had him caught at slip – which brought former England man Shaun Udal out to bat.

Udal got out second ball trying to smash Bradley over mid-wicket. He missed and his leg-stump was knocked back.

Peploe and Ian Starmer dug in for virtually the rest of the session. With tea just an over away, Peploe had his middle stump removed by Charlie Morris.
Starmer was last man out for a hard-fought 24 off 59 balls.

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