The Hereford Times

Langford ton in vain as county lose to Berkshire

9:15am Friday 2nd May 2008

A CENTURY from Henry Langford could not stop Herefordshire from a 17-run defeat to Berkshire in a high-scoring game at Henley in the MCCA Trophy.

In reply to Berkshire’s 291-4, Herefordshire made a great fist of reaching the target in Sunday’s opening match in the competition.

Langford and opener Richard Hall combined for a mammoth second-wicket partnership of 191 - a Herefordshire record in one-day matches.

Herefordshire had moved to 211-1 after 39 overs when Hall was dismissed for 86, a knock which contained eight fours and two sixes.

Hall’s departure sparked a collapse for Herefordshire who lost a further four wickets for 20 runs in six overs.

The victims included the prize scalp of Langford for a superb 104, including 11 fours and two sixes.

The Brockhampton batsman looked in top form in his 117-ball knock before he was caught with the total at 221.

With the light fading, Herefordshire lost their way before a late flurry from Jonathan Shaw (22 not out) and Simon Roberts (15) lifted them to 274-7.

Earlier, Berkshire took advantage of an inexperienced Herefordshire bowling attack to pile up 291-4.

Berkshire captain Bjorn Mordt led the home assault, cracking 112 not out from just 124 balls.

Mordt struck seven fours and four sixes in his excellent innings, while Steven Naylor (62) and opener David Barnes (49) also weighed in for Berkshire.

Chris Boroughs bowled well for Herefordshire, taking 1-34 from 10 overs, while Shaw (2-67) enjoyed the most success in the visiting attack.

Roberts took the other Berkshire wicket to fall and he ended with 1-67 from his allotted 10 overs.

BERKSHIRE: D Barnes ct & b Boroughs 49, M Stokes ct & b Shaw 12, J Trower ct Stevenson b Shaw 15, B Mort not out 112, S Naylor b Roberts 62, P Carter not out 29, Extras 12; Total 291 (4 wickets, 50 overs). Bowling: S Roberts 10-0-67-1, J Shaw 10-0-67-2, L Sellers 10-0-56-0, C Boroughs 10-0-34-1, O Price 10-0-58-0.

HEREFORDSHIRE: H Patel b Lambert 6, R Hall b Naylor 86, H Langford ct & b Crowe 104, C Boroughs ct Lambert b Crowe 6, D Exall ct Lambert b Crowe 5, A Nahorniak run out 3, J Shaw not out 22, S Roberts ct Crowe b Lambert 15, I Stevenson not out 3, Extras 24; Total 274 (7 wickets, 50 overs).

Bowling: R Johnson 9-3-33-06, T Lambert 10-2-54-2, S Naylor 10-0-39-1, C Crowe 7-0-46-0, Carl Crowe 10-0-54-3, P Carter 4-0-39-0.