Berkshire have won the NCCA Trophy for the third time in succession – all at the expense of Cumbria.
They completed the hat-trick with a five-wicket win at Wormsley last Sunday, scoring 231-5 after restricting their opponents to 227-8 in their 50 overs.
Their march to more cricket glory was built on the back of a third-wicket stand of 135 in 20 overs by Jack Davies and Euan Woods.
It came to an end when Davies was bowled by Michael Slack for a 64 which came off 50 balls and included a six and six fours, while Woods went on to score an equally brilliant 84 off 95 balls before being trapped lbw by Nico Watt.
Rhodri Lewis fell for 23 before skipper Dan Lincoln made 20 to steer his side home in the 39th over.
A lot of credit must go to the bowlers for restricting Cumbria to 227 as at one stage looked to be heading for considerably more runs.
The opening pair of Sam Dutton and Ben Walkden put on 108 in 25 overs for the first wicket which should have given them a solid platform for a total in the high 200s.
But Dutton’s departure for 67, caught in the deep by Woods off the bowling of Tom Nugent, led to the momentum changing. JJ Fielding was bowled by Woods for 13 before Walkden fell to a catch by Nugent off Luke Beaven for 64, leaving it 149-3.
Wickets started to fall regularly as Berkshire’s formidable spin department took control of the game and in the second half of the innings, the batsmen failed to score off 65 deliveries.
Woods finished with 2-44, Jafer Chohan 2-57, Rishton 2-40, Nugent 1-35 and Beaven 1-35.
Berkshire did not make the best of starts to their innings, losing Archie Carter for two and Johnny Connell for 17, leaving the total on 29-2 after seven overs.
But the Trophy holders regained control of the game thanks to the brilliance of left-handers Woods and Davies.
Their first 50-run stand came off 54 balls and the 100 in 92 balls.
In the end, it was a comfortable win for Berkshire, who will be looking to complete a quick double when they play Lincolnshire in the Championship final at West Bromwich Dartmouth CC starting on next Sunday and scheduled for four days.
By Dave Wright
