DORSET were unable to halt the astonishing run of Unicorns Championship winners Berkshire, losing by 281 runs in their season-closer at Wargrave.

The visitors went into the final day on 92 without loss, but still required a further 428 to topple a Berkshire side unbeaten in this competition for five years.

Dorset continued up to 117 before the first wicket fell in captain Luke Webb, bowled for 59 in the first of Chris Peploe's four wickets.

Ben Walker quickly followed for a duck while Alex Eckland only added two more to the tally as Berkshire sensed victory.

Opener Tom Prest continued to score, but was also caught having scored 84 off 144 deliveries to leave Dorset wobbling on 157 for four.

Luke Matthews added 30 to the tally, but Jigar Naik (29) was the only man to offer resistance around him as Webb's charges were all out for 238.

Despite the defeat, Dorset achieved a top-half finish of fifth, holding off Devon, who were beaten and leapfrogged by Cornwall.

The reverse at Wargrave was the first league game Dorset lost all season, also registering two wins and three draws from their six matches.