Birmingham & District Premier Cricket League
20 / 20 Champions 2010
Second Division Berkswell produced two outstanding performances against Premier Division opposition as they became (Twenty 20) Challenge Cup Champions for the first time on a glorious day at Cannock. Both Walmley and Himley were eclipsed by excellent all-round displays as Berkswell proved worthy winners of the trophy. Expertly led by former Warwickshire basman, Dominic Ostler, the Warwickshire Club were well served by outstanding performances from Wessel Hartslief, Tom Milnes, Phil Neale, Khizer Zaman and Ostler, himself. By far the outstanding fielding side, they, also, belied their status with dominating performances with bat and ball.
In the first semi-final, Walmley won the toss and invited Berkswell to bat. They responded with an impressive 159 for five in their 20 overs, thanks, mainly, to a stand of 60 between Ostler (53) and former Warwickshire Academy starlet Neale (53 not out). Greg Ricketts returned the best figures for Walmley, with 3 for 19, and there was a wicket apiece for James Burnett and Paul Griffiths. Walmley never got to grips with their target and reached 119 for seven at the end of their innings. Mo Usman top scored with 35, while the most impressive bowler for Berkswell was Zaman (3 for 10). Hartslief (2 for 21) and Babar Khan (1 for 21) were economical and Berkswell cruised through to the final in some comfort.
Berkswell elected to bat first in the Final and they were given a great start by Ostler (17) and Hartslief (19), hitting 24 off the first two overs. 17 year old Milnes played a mature innings of 42 not out and there were useful contributions from Phil Neale (22), Mo Akhlaque (16) and Babar Khan (16) as Berkswell posted an impressive 154 for six. Singh (3 for 18) was the outstanding bowler for Himley, while Wedge and Jamie Lunn chipped in with a wicket each. A devastating opening spell by Hartslief (2 for 18) and Milnes (3 for 15) reduced Himley to 13 for four and the game was over. Bilal Hussein (21), Ahmed (20), Wedge (18) and Harshad Patel (12) attempted to regain the initiative but the task was too tough and they were dismissed for 105 in the 20th over. Anthony Mc Allister (2 for 14), Sultan Khan, Babar Khan, Zaman and Ostler all provided excellent support for the opening pair and Berkswell ran out easy winners on a day that was, superbly, hosted by Cannock.
