Skipper Mordt puts Herts to the sword

Berkshire CCC started their season with a narrow 17-run victory over Herefordshire in the first match of this season's Minor Counties Trophy on Sunday.

Losing the toss and being asked to bat, Berkshire amassed 291-4 from their allotted 50 overs with captain Bjorn Mordt plundering an unbeaten 112 on his home ground.

An excellent 49 from David Barnes and a typically belligerent 62 from Steve Naylor were the other top scorers as Berks smashed 90 runs from the last 10 overs.

After a shaky start Herefordshire reply was going brilliantly at 211 for one with Hall scored 86 and number three Langford 104

But the introduction of Carl Crowe (3-54) put the brakes on proceedings and second spells from Johnson, Naylor (1-39) and Lambert (2-54) restricted Herts to 274-7.

For a full report and reaction to the victory see Thursday's Advertiser.