Berkshire CCC owed much to the Lewis brothers, Rhodri and Rhys, for helping them to start their defence of the National Counties Trophy with a hard-earned two-wicket victory over Devon at Wargrave on Sunday.
Opening bat Rhys made 55 off 82 balls and elder sibling Rhodri 39 not out as Berkshire reached their target of 197 with almost four overs to spare in their opening Group Three match.
Rhys and Charlie Dunnett appeared to have put Berkshire on course for a more comfortable victory when they added 74 for the fourth wicket, taking the total to 130.
But Berks suffered a double set-back in the 33rd over with Lewis being dismissed, and two balls later, skipper Dan Lincoln was out for a duck. Both fell to Jamie Stephens and four overs later, he ended the innings of Dunnett for 31.
The departures of Toby Greatwood and Tommy Sturgess left the hosts 177-8 in the 43rd over.
However, Rhodri Lewis saw Berkshire reach their target with Yash Lakhani keeping him company in a stand of 22, the final total being 199-8.
Devon’s 196 for eight from their 50 overs was built on Calum Haggett’s unbeaten 75 off 113 balls with Fin Hill (32) joining him in a sixth-wicket partnership of 65. Rhodri Lewis, Lakhani and Sturgess all claimed two wickets.
In the other Trophy Group 3 game, Oxfordshire reached 254-7 off the penultimate ball to beat Buckinghamshire (253-9) by three wickets at Wormsley.
Former Berkshire off-spinner Max Uttley took three for 48 for Bucks, who were captained by Wokingham newcomer Tom Hampton.
Berks return to National Counties T20 action next Sunday (19th) when they host Shropshire and Cornwall at Slough’s Upton Court Park ground.
The team that finishes top of the group will qualify for Finals Day at Chester Boughton Hall on May 26.
By Dave Wright
