Devon Cricket Board - Holman and Burke hit 50s as Devon narrow gap

Holman and Burke hit 50s as Devon narrow gap

Overnight: Berkshire 279 (M D T Roberts 118, S D Udal 28; C Bradley 3-60, T S Anning 2-42, S Barlow 2-69), Devon 123-1 (J E Burke 50no, R J Holman 52).

DEVON had to wait until they removed opener Mike Roberts before getting on top of Berkshire in the Western Division title decider at Sidmouth.

Roberts reached his century after lunch – in a running total of 174 for four he had 103 – as Devon’s bowlers had little to cheer.

Getting Roberts out sparked a mini collapse as Berkshire went from 214 for four to 219 for seven.

Shaun Udal (28) and Stewart Davison stopped the rot with a stand of 43 before Devon broke through again. The man out was Udal, caught in the country having a swing at Scott Barlow.

At tea, taken after 83 overs, Berkshire were 267 for nine with seven overs to go, unless Devon bowled them out first. They made it to the last over when Stewart Davidson chanced his arm against Neil Hancock's and was run out for 26 in a final total of 279 all out.

Devon wasted little time making inroads into the deficit, reaching 95 without loss with James Burke on 36 and Rob Holman 42. Holman was dismissed late in the day for 52 as Devon reached 123 for one in reply with 59 overs to bat tomorrow

The two sides are neck and neck at the top of the Western Division and the winners will claim the title.

Josh Bess, opening the bowling on his own ground, had Berkshire opener Dave Barnes brilliantly caught in the gully by a diving David Lye.

Berkshire were 21 for one with Barnes out, which brought former Hants batter Jono McLean into the middle.

Devon failed to press home their early advantage though and by drinks, taken after 20 overs, Berkshire were 64 for one. Surviving opener Roberts was 35 not out and dangerman McLean on 14 not out.

Devon's seamers struggled at times for a reliable line and length, which helped Berkshire push the score up to 80 for one from 26 overs, when spinner Chris Bradley was brought into the attack.

Bradley picked up the second wicket of the morning session when he had McLean well caught low down at slip by Bess for 32. The incoming batsman was Craig Crowe, who didn't last long.

Bradley had Crowe caught behind by Matt Thompson for a duck with the score on 99 for three.

In the previous over from Barlow, Roberts had reached a deserved 50 by whipping a short ball away though mid-wicket for four.

Roberts was 61 not out and James Morris unbeaten in a total of 112 for three at lunch.

Berkshire, who won the toss and opted to bat, pushed the score along to 161 before losing the next wicket. The man out was James Morris who was caught at slip off Bradley (3-45).

Roberts reached his century with a four behind square in Bradley's next over. In a running total of 214 for four at afternoon drinks he was 118 not out and Euan Brock 25 not out.

Roberts failed to add to his tally when play resumed as he came out swinging at Trevor Anning, but hit the ball straight up in the air and was caught by keeper Matt Thompson a pace or two behind the stumps.

Simon Macey was in and out for four - caught behind off a thin edge to give Bess his second wicket - then Brock fell to a brilliant diving catch by Bess off Anning.

When former England spinner Shaun Udal went out to bat, Berkshire had subsided from 214 for four to 219 for seven.

Udal, who took direct hit on the helmet from a Bess bouncer, was the second to last man out before tea.

The last man was Tom Parsons, who went swishing outside off-stump to Barlow and was comfortably pouched by keeper Thompson.

Full report and reaction tomorrow morrning

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