Devon Cricket Board - Berkshire all out for 107

Berkshire all out for 107

DAY TWO AT SIDMOUTH

First day report

DEVON are Western Division Minor Counties champions after routing Berkshire by 10 wickets at Sidmouth with a day to spare.

Berkshire, 85 runs behind on first innings, were 24 for three at tea after a double strike from Trevor Anning and another for Josh Bess.

Mike Roberts, who made a first-innings century, went for six when he went to pull Anning and nicked a straight one on to his stumps.

Jono McLean was in an out after four balls: superbly caught low down by Bess in the slips, leaving Berkshire 13 for two.

Then Craig Crowe went on a fishing expedition outside the off-stump and was taken at full-stretch by Devon’s diving keeper Matt Thompson.

It didn't get any better for Berkshire after tea as James Morris was bowled by Neil Hancock for 15. Berkshire were 62 for four with 75 minutes left to play in the day, still 23 runs behind. The situation went from bad to worse when Berkshire captain David Barnes was out lbw to Anning offering little or no shot, followed five balls later by Euan Brock caught behind.

The woes continued when Simon Macey left a straight ball from Bradley which bowled him. Shaun Udal was and Stewart Davison added 30 for the eighth wicket as Berkshire put the block on.

Udal, who was on 21, went at 98 when Barlow found the edge and he was caught by Bess at slip. Tom Parsons didn't last long as a straight one from Barlow sorted him out.

As the 7pm shut-off time approached, Berkshire were 100 for nine, just 15 runs ahead. Devon could claim another half hour tonight if there is a realistic chance of settling the game without going into a third day. After Barlow nipped out Stewart Davison lbw, berkshire were 107 all out, leaving Devon a target of 23 to win.

Under competition rules Devon were allowed five more overs in the hope of forcing a result. Openers Jame Burke and Rob Holman knocked off the runs in less than two overs to set up a play-off game against either Cambridge or Staffordshire next month.

Berkshire had the best of it before lunch as Devon lost five wickets going from 123 for one overnight to 251 for seven at the break.

It was a different story after lunch as Devon went on the offensive and reached 300 when skipper Neil Hancock hit Euan Brock back over his head for six.

Hancock went on to reach his 50 with a huge blow over mid-wicket off former England spinner Shaun Udal. Thompson and Hancock reached 341 for seven with three overs to go in a stand worth exactly 100 at that stage. The stand ended at 343 when Hancock was caught on the boundary for 52.

Thompson reached his 50 in the same over when he hooked Tim Parsons down to long-leg. He finished unbeaten on 60 in Devon's 90 over total of 364 for eight.

Devon were 123 for one overnight – James Burke unbeaten on 52 – and looking to make further inroads into Berkshire’s first innings total of 279 all out.

All went well while Burke and nightwatchman Scott Barlow advanced the score to 171. Udal made the breakthrough Berkshire needed when he dismissed Barlow caught and bowled for 26.

That was the first of three wickets to go for 18 runs as Burke then Josh Bess went in quick succession.

Burke, who must be wondering when he will finally reach three figures for Devon, was caught at slip as Udal struck again.

Then Bess was given out caught at slip by Udal off Brock via the boot of keeper Stewart Davison! Bess chopped the ball on to Davison’s boot and Udal caught it on the rebound.

Rob Woodman was just getting going when he drove Brock to the waiting Jono McLean at mid-off.

McLean moved round to gully and took his catching hands with him to account for David Lye, who was left-armer Brock’s third victim before lunch.

At 226 for six when Lye went Devon were 53 behind and in need of some rebuilding.

The task was deputed to captains past and present Bob Dawson and Neil Hancock, whose first job was to reach lunch with without incident. They didn't make it. Dawson went caught at slip for three by Udal in a running total of 241 for seven as Brock struck again.

Hancock and Matt Thompson saw Devon through to 251 for seven at lunch, a deficit of 28 on first innings with Trevor Anning and Chris Bradley yet to bat.

Berkshire 279 (M D T Roberts 118, S D Udal 28; C Bradley 3-60, T S Anning 2-42, S Barlow 2-69) & 24-3 (T S Anning 2-1), Devon 364-8 (J E Burke 75, M W Thompson 60no, N D Hancock 58, R J Holman 52; S D Udal 3-112, E E Brock 4-84). Bonus points: Devon 8, Berkshire 6

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