Report: Michael Knox

Image: Teddie Casterton - EDTC Digital Media

Bucks Men's run in the National Counties Trophy came to an end when they suffered a heavy 124-run defeat against Berkshire in their NCCA NV Play Trophy quarter-final at High Wycombe on Sunday.

Bucks, who had won all four group games to reach the last eight, were always facing an uphill task after Berkshire amassed a formidable 308-5 from 50 overs after being put in to bat.

After Ed Bragg dismissed the two Berkshire openers, James Isbell and Charlie Dunnett produced a match-winning third-wicket stand of 161 in 29 overs on the flat pitch. Isbell made 83 from 90 balls, with one six and 11 fours, while Dunnett hit 77 from 96 balls, with seven fours. Both survived difficult chances in the field.

On their departure, Euan Woods and Ben Salter plundered 68 runs from seven overs to help Berkshire pass 300. Bragg and skipper Conner Haddow were Bucks' most economical bowlers.

The hosts needed a good start to challenge this total, but instead collapsed to 38-5 in 15 overs against some superb bowling from Berkshire skipper Andy Rishton, who took 4-20 from 10 overs.

There was no way back from there for Bucks despite a spirited stand of 78 from 13 overs by George Harvey (51 off 69) and Josh Lincoln (61 off 64), both of whom hit three sixes.

Bucks were eventually dismissed for 184, which means Berkshire will now entertain Oxfordshire in the semi-finals.

Bucks will play their second double-header in the National Counties T20 competition against Oxfordshire at Marlow this Sunday, having shared honours with Bedfordshire last week.

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