MINOR COUNTIES Defending champions 12th win in row
- Details
- Created on Wednesday, 07 August 2019 08:42
- Last Updated on Tuesday, 20 August 2019 09:25
- Published on Wednesday, 07 August 2019 08:42
- Written by PAUL BOLTON Minor Counties cricket correspondent
The recipe for Berkshire’s success was again simple but effective – bat long in both innings and leave the bowlers with plenty of time to take 20 wickets.
Luke Beaven took four for 20 to finish off Shropshire but the pressure was built by his fellow slow left-armer Chris Peploe who returned second innings figures of 35-19-35-2.
Only one Shropshire batsman - opener Will Parton in the first innings – reached 30 in the match.
Berkshire lead the Western Division 17 points clear of Oxfordshire who beat Herefordshire by 162 runs at Challow & Childrey, their third win in a row.
The early loss of captain Matt Pardoe, bowled by his former Worcestershire team-mate Gareth Andrew, effectively put paid to Herefordshire’s chances.
Andrew took three of the first four wickets before seamer Robert Keat polished off Herefordshire with three for 20.
Dorset lost ground after they had to settle for a draw with Cornwall after a delayed start at Redruth.
Dorset safely batted out the final day but their hopes of a third win of the season were dashed after they were dismissed for 136 on the opening day.
Seamer Jonathan Ludlam and off-spinner Greg Smith took three wickets each but Dorset cleared their first innings arrears into a lead of 177 when the sides shook hands.
Staffordshire slow left-armer Paul Byrne took the 200th Minor Counties Championship wicket of his career when he pinned Toby Bulcock LBW to complete a nine wickets match haul against Cumberland at Checkley.
Byrne’s wickets were not enough to bring Staffordshire but he then played an important part as a batsman to help them hold out for a draw.
Byrne faced 51 balls for his 31 not out and shared an unbroken ninth wicket partnership of 50 with Spencer Byatt whose obdurate unbeaten 32 spanned 131 balls.
Earlier Matt Sempill had set up Cumberland’s declaration with his second half century of the match and seamers Liam Grey and Sam Wood shared six wickets as Staffordshire stuttered.
Staffordshire still lead the Eastern Division but with a lead of 11 points following Norfolk’s victory over Lincolnshire on Monday.
Warwickshire Academy batsman Alex Oxley again impressed in Suffolk’s draw with Cambridgeshire at Ipswich School.
Oxley, 18, began the season with a maiden century against Staffordshire and followed up with 82 from 148 balls which helped set up the declaration.
Cambridgeshire blunted Suffolk’s attack, led by Josh Cantrell, with captain James Williams making his second half century of the match and the in-form Lee Thomason top-scoring with 68.
Bedfordshire’s push for a second win of the season was frustrated first by stubborn Buckinghamshire resistance then by rain at Flitwick.
Buckinghamshire off-spinner Michael Payne took five of the six Bedfordshire wickets that fell before they declared their second innings.
Buckinghamshire were set an improbable victory target of 380 but Bedfordshire were unable to part openers Masoor Khan and Alex Woodland before the rain arrived.
Rain washed out the final day of Northumberland’s Eastern Division match against Hertfordshire at Jesmond and left both sides feeling frustrated and still seeking their first three-day win of the season.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
