BERKSHIRE Over 50s secured a fourth County Championship victory in five games as they cruised to a 10-wicket success at home to Surrey last Wednesday, writes Richard Ashton.

Mark Baker and Steve Clarke took a wicket apiece early on before John Macdonald (3-18), Pete Randall (3-22) and Dave Shaw (2-23) really turned the screw, restricting Surrey to a woefully inadequate 147 on a decent Finchampstead batting track.

Nick Pitcher (72no) and Gordon Morgan (65no) then showed just how under-par the visitors’ effort was, racing to their target in just 25 overs to keep Berkshire second in the Group Five table.

The Over 50s 2nds found the going tougher as they were beaten by 86 runs by Middlesex at Falkland on Thursday.

Rob Barrett (3-52), Ian Herrington (2-46) and Dave Goodman (2-56) were the stand-out bowlers for Berkshire, but Middlesex were still able to rack up 250-8 in their 45 overs.

Nigel Trumper (76) batted well in reply, but with only two other players reaching double figures, the hosts were bowled out for 164. Andrew Marshall claimed 5-33 for Middlesex.

Jerry Smith (2-29), Andy Brown (2-35), Errol Masters (2-41) and Richard West (2-46) were all among the wickets for Berkshire Over 60s, but they lost by 75 runs at Essex on Tuesday.

The home side posted a respectable 194-9 from their 45 overs, and with West’s 21 the top Berkshire score, they were dismissed for only 119.

Colin Ainger (47), Greg Griffith (45) and Don Townsin (41) led a superb Berkshire Over 60s 2nds (247-7) run chase as they snatched a dramatic three-wicket win with just one ball to spare at Buckinghamshire (243-5) on Wednesday.