BERKSHIRE Over 50s began their Seevant County Championship season with a resounding nine-wicket victory at home to Sussex.

Andy Brown (1-25) made an early breakthrough when he tapped Neil Thornicroft lbw, and with Chris England also proving economical, the visitors struggled to get going.

Phil Ridgway kept the pressure on with a remarkable spell of 2-8 in nine overs, and with Richard West, Ian Harvey and Errol Masters all picking up a wicket apiece, Sussex were restricted to a below-par 168-8 in their 45 overs.

Andy Barnes top scored with 64 from 90 balls.

The Berkshire reply was emphatic as openers Dave Tooze and Richard West set about the target with relish, sharing an opening stand of 153 at not much worse than a run-a-ball until the later was bowled by Peter Crees for 71.

Tooze, though, stayed unbeaten on 73, and Berkshire eased past their target with more than 16 overs to spare.

  • BERKSHIRE Over 60s 2nds slipped to a 10-run defeat to Buckinghamshire in an entertaining affair at Hurley.

Visiting openers Roger Garrini and Peter Langford took advantage of fine batting conditions to put on a 117-run stand before Fred Herbert bowled the former for 53.

George Nelson kept the momentum going with 35, but it was Langford who was the star of the show with an outstanding 108 from 121 balls. His innings included 10 4s and a maximum.

Chad Cudjoe (2-49 off eight overs) proved the pick of the attack and dismissed both batsmen, but Buckinghamshire were able to post a competitive 234-3 in their 45 overs.

Berkshire lost Bill Munday cheaply in reply, but an excellent second-wicket stand of 114 between Greg Griffith (73 from 106 balls) and captain Ian Stuart (56 from 55) put the home side back in the contest.

However, the pair were both run out in rapid order to leave Berkshire 145-3, and despite Cudjoe (38no off 40 balls) keeping things interesting, Bucks were able to restrict the home side to 224-6.