Berkshire once again showed that they are a powerhouse in one-day cricket by defeating Dorset by seven wickets at Wimborne last Sunday to reach the semi-finals of the NCCA Trophy.
Bidding to lift the title for a fifth successive time, they will be away to Wiltshire on July 16 with the winners facing Suffolk or last season’s beaten finalists Cumbria in the final at Wormsley on Sunday, August 27.
The Dorset innings was dominated by the Eckland brothers with Joe hitting 61 and Alex 73, the latter being involved in a third-wicket stand of 98 with Hampshire’s Felix Organ (63).
Reading spinner Luke Beaven took 3-48, while Wokingham allrounder Andy Rishton claimed 2-56.
Dorset’s 50-over total of 296-8 would normally be regarded as a decent one, but not against a team of Berkshire’s ability even on a day when they were missing a number of top players.
New opening pair Johnny Connell and Archie Carter laid a solid foundation for Berks’ reply with a partnership of 152 in 23 overs.
Carter was the first man out, having scored 64 off 66 balls, while Henley team-mate Connell, who blasted 24 off an early over, went on to make 95 off 83 balls, his wicket leaving Berks 174-2 in the 29th over.
Euan Wood was next to reach a half-century, off 60 balls, and he added 83 with Billy Mead, the Datchet skipper who marked his senior county debut with a quickfire 37 off 31 balls.
Dan Lincoln joined Wargrave team-mate Woods, and they wasted little time in getting Berks across the line, finishing off the game in the 46th over with Lincoln smacking three successive fours. He was left on 18, while Woods remained unbeaten on 72 which came off 80 balls and
included 10 fours.
Berks open their defence of the NCCA Championship against Devon at Falkland CC starting this Sunday.
By Dave Wright
