Boundary Sports Warwickshire Premier League

Saturday 11 September 2004
Berkswell v Hampton in Arden

Berkswell 179 All Out (24pts) beat Hampton 167 All Out (6pts)

Berkswell enjoyed a satisfying end to the season by completing a maximum points double over local rivals Hampton the victory ensuring 5th place in the league.

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“The club needs to make a serious push to get more pictures of me on BalsallCom.Com.” says club chairman David Blundell. “No more interviews, just pictures.”

Anyway, enough of this, what about the match?

With Dave Blundell mysteriously unavailable for further comment, Berkswell elected to bat first on a wicket lacking pace, the home side started fluently before losing opener Graham Drury (13) in the 4th over with the score on 20. Mike Weir followed in the next over and when Dominic Ostler was dismissed for 14 in the 9th over Berkswell were struggling with the score on 48 for 3.

Opener Matt Nightingale was joined by Ricky Blundell and some excellent shot selection combined with ill disciplined out cricket from a struggling Hampton saw the pair add 94 for the 4th wicket before Nightingale was stumped off the bowling of Payne for 39 in the 30th over. As often happens another wicket fell quickly Blundell being dismissed in the next over for an excellent 52. Berkswell then continued to lose wickets regularly and were eventually all out in the 45th over for a competitive 179.

In reply Hampton made cautious progress and at the end of the 21st over had reached 65 for 3. At this point Paddy Milnes was brought into the attack and immediately bowled opener Batsford (12). This brought together Paul Vickerstaff and Kier Threlkeld and between them they added a brisk 72 for the fifth wicket before Milnes bowled Threlkeld for a fluent 47 with Vickerstaff following soon after ? Blundell holding an excellent catch off the bowling of Paul Thomas. When Thomas removed Webster for a duck and Milnes had skipper Payne LBW for 1 Hampton required 28 to win with one wicket remaining. However, Berkswell’s satisfaction was complete when Thomas removed the middle stump of Jenkins with Hampton still 12 short of their target. Milnes 3 for 50 and Thomas 3 for 30 were the pick of the Berkswell bowlers.

Hampton 180 for 8 v Berkswell 308 for 6

Having already won the league title, Berkswell 2nd team ended the season in style.

Choosing to bat first they had an early set back when opener David Blundell (2) lost his wicket in the 4th over with the score on 15. However, the experience of skipper Paul Brattle and Keith Pettifor enabled Berkswell to progress to 121 before losing their second wicket Brattle (55) departing in the 27th over.

Two overs later Pettifor (48) lost his wicket to leave the visitors on 128 for 3. Junior player Chris Taroni (39) and Mark Fraser (59) then added a further 84 runs in 11 overs and a final ten over blitz by Taroni (39), Pierre DuToit (30no) and Rod O?Niell (19) saw Berkswell close their innings on 308 for 6.

Chasing such a large target was never an option for the home side and despite Berkswell claiming wickets at regular intervals Hampton managed to hang on. At the end of their 50 overs they had reached 180 for the loss of 8 wickets. For the second week running Tush Fernando 6 for 61 being the best of the Berkswell bowlers.

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