JACK Davies was urged on in his Championship-winning performance for Berkshire – by opponents Staffordshire.

That's the claim of skipper James Morris following their thrilling one-wicket victory in the MCCA Championship final at Banbury last week.

The 19-year-old opening bat remained unbeaten on 42 as Berkshire reached their modest target of 97 despite coming under intense pressure from the fielding side.

Morris said Davies played "some exceptional stuff" but Staffs went about trying to get him out in "completely the wrong fashion."

He explained: "They were trying to rile him up. There were lots of words from them towards him, but that's what gets him going.

"It made him even more determined to get us over the line."

As wickets tumbled at the other end, he kept his cool in an innings which lasted for a little more than three hours.

While the Reading-born is a professional with Middlesex, Morris stated: "We are very proud to call him a Berkshire boy as he has produced some important innings for us this season, including getting 100 against Cornwall in conditions which weren't helpful to the batsmen and to bat the way he did on the wicket we had was incredible" added Morris following the final.

"So Berkshire cricket have to say a big thank you to Jack for getting the team over the line."

The wicketkeeper also took eight catches during the game as Staffordshire were bowled out for 150 in their first innings and 110 in the second.

But the Eastern Division champions hit back by dismissing Berkshire for 164 first time around and them having them in serious trouble in the final innings of the season.

Davies gave credit to the losing side, saying: "They certainly pushed us closer than Lincolnshire did for three years running and, of the four finals, this win was the most pleasing of them all."

The captain added: "It was a fluctuating game which could have gone either way right up to the end.

"But when it comes to crunch moments, we know how to deal with them. We got through them before as we have that belief in ourselves.

"Yes, it was nerve-wracking for everybody – probably for me more than anyone else – but I just knew we were going to do it.

"We have won the Trophy final by one run and now the Championship by one wicket."

Morris continued: "Overall, we have not played brilliant cricket this summer. There have been glimpses of some really good stuff with great scores from individuals, and some amazing spells of bowling like we have seen in this final.

"But we still know how to get results, as we have won the two most important competitions in minor counties cricket once again.

"It is now four years in a row we have won the championship which is the most important competition of all for us because it is the one we spend the most time playing.

"We got what we wanted by winning the title four years in a row and we will come back even stronger next year.

"We have equalled Devon's four successive wins and now we want to break the record with five."