PEPPARD Stoke Row Unicorns began their season with a comfortable 84-run home victory against neighbours Woodcote.

Tom Wright (32) and Scott Harris (39) gave the hosts a fine platform with a quick-fire opening partnership which was only ended when the latter edged Jonny Clark to wicketkeeper Ryan Lennard.

Berkshire Over 60s star Don Townsin came and went quickly, but Fergus Nutt (50 retired) further accelerated the innings.

Clark (2-30) cleaned up Wright and Patrick Baker removed Brett Everett after the batsman pulled a monstrous six over square leg, but a cameo from Rich Ashton (50 retired) helped his side set a challenging 227-4 in their 30 overs.

The Woodcote reply began steadily until Lennard was smartly held at slip by Ashton off the bowling of Satheech Elaganathan, with the seamer then jagging a ball back to the dangerous Paul Knox to clip the off bail.

JP Brouard (50 retired) and Clark (55 retired) both looked in fine form, but the disciplined Unicorns attack ensured the run rate continued to climb.

Teenage leg spinner Josh Perkins bowled Adam Burgess before Sam Kimber (2-13 from five overs) bamboozled Mike Stroker into offering up a return catch.

Kimber collected a second victim when he had Baker neatly snaffled by Harris at first slip, and Woodcote eventually came up well short in totalling 143-5.