disappointment in part by steering an under strength Big O Blues to a 28-run victory over Ex-Services Bushrangers at Clarke Oval on Saturday.

Berkrey, who was dismissed without scoring in the annual Letter challenge after playing an unnecessary shot, proved the type of batsman he can be with an impressive 43 as the Blues made tough work of posting 106 in 38 overs.

Coming in at first drop after opener Craig McTavish was run out without scoring, Berkrey and Dean Bradley piled on 49-runs in the space of eight overs in what, given how the match panned out, proved to be a match-

winning stand.

Bradley was happy to play second fiddle to his younger teammate,

making 12 before he became the

second run out victim of the match with the score on 54, while Berkrey fell four runs latter, caught by Aaron Wilson off the bowling of Josh Purtell.

The Blues lost a couple of other quick wickets, Joseph Trinder and Ryan Connell four nought and Gerard Guthrie for one and, while no other batsmen really had an impact the Blues were able to scrape their way beyond a three-figure total with youngster Zac Craw remaining unbeaten on seven.

Purtell was easily the pick of the bowlers with 4-24 off his 10 overs, with single wickets going to James Dallas, Kevin Damschke, Wayd Millar and Matt Wilson.

Minus strike weapons Chris Dawe and Darren Connell, the Blues were banking on Bradley and Guthrie to bowl them to victory and the pair responded brilliantly, taking seven wickets between them.

Guthrie made the initial breakthrough in the fourth over, trapping Damschke in front for two, while Bradley took care of Noah Trickett (3), Millar (9) and Phil Jenkins (2) to boast the figures of 3-15 after seven.

Berkrey continued his great day by claiming the key wicket of Josh Purtell for one with his first delivery and

suddenly the Bushrangers were 5-38.

Captain Andrew Parkinson watched the horror unfold from the other end and decided the only hope of victory lay on his blade, Parkinson out-scoring his teammates’ combined efforts with a dogged 43.

In the end, the Bushrangers were all out for 78 in less than 26 overs, with Guthrie claiming the final wicket

of Dallas, who tried to replicate his previous shot which went for six, only to see the ball rattle into his stumps.

Bradley was the headline act again with the ball taking 4-17 off nine, well complimented by Guthrie’s 3-29.