Berkshire trounced Devon by 10 wickets in their opening NCCA Trophy Group two match at Henley on Sunday.
The holders rolled over their visitors for 161 and then cruised to their target in just 28.2 overs thanks to Savin Perera, who made 84, and Archie Carter with 69.
It was their first 10-wicket victory in more than 130 national one-day competition games. Their previous best came just last year when they defeated Buckinghamshire by nine wickets in a match decided by the Duckworth Lewis Method which saw Berks left with a revised target of 131 in 25 overs – and Perera also led the run chase on that occasion with an unbeaten 72.
He went on to make 84 when Berkshire crushed Cumbria by 151 runs in the Trophy final last September.
The 23-year-old left-handed batsman was again at his attacking best against Devon, his 84 coming from 85 deliveries with his entertaining innings containing three sixes and eight fours.
Carter also faced 85 deliveries and dispatched one maximum and seven fours.
Berkshire’s bowling honours went to Mungo Russell in his first Trophy appearance for the county. The paceman conceded 19 runs in his first two overs but found a much better line and length when brought back into the attack and took a wicket in each of his five overs to finish with 5-41.
Euan Woods claimed 2-37, Luke Beaven 1-11, Jafer Chohan 1-26 and Tom Nugent 1-30.
Berkshire’s next Group 2 game is against Cornwall at Truro this Sunday (June 5).
Berkshire O50’s
Jim Ettridge scored a maiden century as Berkshire O50s hammered Hertfordshire O50s by 159 runs at Welwyn Garden City.
He hit 120 off 111 balls with the help of 17 boundaries and shared a third-wicket stand of 187 in 23 overs with debutant Chris Wright (91 off 73 balls). With Duncan Johnson making 31 and skipper Gary Loveday(26), Berkshire finished in a strong position at 306-8 from their 45
overs.
Arun Shallom snatched two early wickets to reduce Herts to 10-2 and Berks went on to seal a comfortable win, dismissing their hosts for147 with Graham Beal and Richard O’Toole both taking three wickets.
The Berkshire O50s 2nd XI match against Sussex at Wraysbury had to be abandoned after umpire Peter Bartlett suffered a serious injury when struck on the side of his head by a full-blown drive in the later stages of the Sussex innings. Earlier, a Sussex fieldsman was also struck on his head as the ball flew in from the outfield.
By Dave Wright
