BERKSHIRE thumped Dorset by seven wickets with a full 16.4 overs remaining to progress from the Unicorns Trophy second round in comprehensive fashion at Oratory School.

Dorset captain Luke Webb won the toss and batted first but the visitors were soon in all sorts of trouble at 84 for six as Chris Peploe returned two for 24 from 10 miserly overs.

Up to then, Hampshire’s Felix Organ (24) had been Dorset’s top scorer, yet a tremendous backs-to-the-wall unbroken stand of 94 from Josh Digby (51no) and Max Waller (40no) set Berkshire a tricky 179 to win from 50 overs.

In reply, the hosts scored with ease as Andy Rishton (31), Jack Davies (30) and Tom Scriven (36) all made healthy contributions, until falling to the leg spin of Somerset man Waller (3-39).

At 108 for three, the platform was set as Richard Morris (31) and Dan Lincoln (38no) helped inflict Dorset’s first defeat of the season.

Webb’s men head to Wimborne’s Leaze headquarters on Sunday, as they look to continue their perfect start in the Unicorns T20 competition.

The Group Four leaders host Cornwall in a double header (from 11am) looking to make it six wins on the bounce in the shortest format.