Three in a row for Berkshire as Minor Counties title is wrapped up with win over Lincolnshire

The defending champions needed only 105 minutes of the third day to take Lincolnshire’s last six wickets and claim the title for the seventh time in their history

^{Berkshire are Minor Counties champions}

Berkshire romped to their third consecutive Minor Counties Championship title, completing a hat-trick of victories over Lincolnshire in the final at Banbury with more than five sessions to spare.

The defending champions needed only 105 minutes of the third day to take Lincolnshire’s last six wickets and claim the title for the seventh time in their history.

Former Hampshire and Loughborough MCCU seamer Tom Nugent effectively ended Lincolnshire’s hopes of avoiding an innings defeat when he took three wickets in a superb opening spell in which he bowled unchanged for 90 minutes into a strong downfield wind.

Nugent struck the decisive blow when Bilal Shafayat, the former Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Hampshire batsman, went lbw to one that nipped back.

Dan Freeman went the same way four overs later and Nic Keast was caught behind by Stewart Davison fishing outside off stump.

Chris Peploe, the former Middlesex slow left-armer, was unable to bowl until noon following his absence on the second day though illness.

But Peploe needed only three balls to make an impact, bowling Curtis Free. Seamer Andy Rishton, who undermined Lincolnshire on the second evening, completed his five wicket haul when Alex Willerton went lbw and Peploe wrapped up victory when Lincolnshire captain Carl Wilson was trapped in front, his 45th wicket of the season.

Berkshire seamer Mungo Russell won the man of the match award for his five-wicket haul which put Lincolnshire on the back foot on the first day.

Berkshire’s title was their fifth national trophy in three seasons and completed a double following their success in the Minor Counties T20 three weeks ago.

Next year they will attempt to emulate Devon who were the last side to win the Championship three years running between 1994 and 1996 – and then added a fourth in 1997.

Berkshire captain James Morris said: “We are consistent in our practice and we care about it so much. We try to go about everything in a really professional manner. It’s something that has been picked up by opponents and umpires.

“It’s something we are proud of. It works so why change it? Simple as that.

“Being ruthless is a characteristic of a good side in any sport. When you get an chance you jump all over it.

“It’s testament to the skilful players that we have got and the hard work we do outside the summer.

“I see no reason why we can’t win it again. Every year you win it there’s a bigger target on your back the next year. But we will be completely and utterly up for it. We have no intention of letting it go without a fight.”

Report courtesy of the ECB Reporters Network