Hamza Riazuddin hit 68 and was involved in a fifth-wicket partnership of 142 with Dan Hampton, but it was not quite enough as Bucks finished on 213-7 in reply to Berkshire’s 238-6.

Hamza Riazuddin hit 68 and was involved in a fifth-wicket partnership of 142 with Dan Hampton, but it was not quite enough as Bucks finished on 213-7 in reply to Berkshire’s 238-6.

All-rounder Riazuddin, a newcomer to the Bucks team, also did well with the ball, taking three wickets at a cost of 48 off his maximum 10 overs.

Berkshire’s 25-run victory was their first in the Unicorns Trophy since they defeated the same rivals at Dinton nearly a year ago.

But, having lost their opening game to Herefordshire, the side skippered by Newbury-based James Morris still have a lot to do if they are to qualify for the knock-out stages.

Their remaining two group games are away to Staffordshire this Sunday and home to Oxfordshire at Henley on May 17.

Morris won the toss and batted first on a chilly and overcast day at Wokingham CC.

Berkshire owed much to opening bat Michael Roberts, who made 101 off 136 balls.

The former Hampshire player also featured in four productive partnerships.

He dominated the opening stand of 51 with Simon Macey only contributing nine runs in 71 minutes as the batsmen made a cautious start on a wicket they seeing for the first time.

Harry Stephens joined Roberts in the 18th over and they lifted the total to 119 before the former was caught for 34 in the 35th over.

Roberts and Richard Morris (26) put on another 54 runs for the third wicket, and that was followed by a stand of 40 in just four overs with skipper James Morris.

Roberts was eventually trapped lbw by Riazuddin after a 181-minute stay at the crease. He hit one 6 and eight 4s.

Berks had Bucks in trouble at 42-4, but their victory charge was held up by Hampton and Riazuddin, the pair putting on 142 for the fifth wicket in 29 overs and for a time it looked as Bucks might even pull the match out of the fire.

However, Hampton fell to a fine catch on the long-on boundary by Euan Brock, having hit 77 off 84 deliveries, with the help of three 6s and six 4s.

In his next over, Peploe had Riazuddin stumped by Stewart Davison for 68, which came off 99 balls and contained eight 4s.

His dismissal ended Bucks’ bid to pull the game out of the fire.

Skipper James Morris said after the match: “Today was essentially about getting our first win. It will hopefully be only the start as we want to win our remaining two group games to reach the knock-out stages of the Trophy.

“We face a tough game up at Staffs next Sunday. They are an aggressive side but we are ready for them and we will go there in a confident mood.” Summary: Berks: 238-6 off 50 overs: Macey 9, Roberts 101, Stephens 34, R Morris 26, J Morris 30no, Peploe 5, Davison 1, Hussain 8no. Extras 24. Bucks bowling: Stanaway 10-2-18-0, King 6-0-20-0, Riazuddin 10-1-48-3, Hampton 5-1-17-1, Rance 7-0-32-0, Amjaid 10-0-59-0, Payne 2-0-21-1. Bucks: 213-7 off 50 overs: Pritchard 13, Watson 0, Khan 1, Payne 18, Riazuddin 68, Hampton 77, Russell 14no, Rance 5. Extras 1. Berks bowling: Carter 9-3-25-2, Hussain 9-0-70-1, Peploe 10-2-35-2, Gregory 6-0-14-1, Brock 10-1-22-1, Stephens 6-0-44-0.

Thatcham CC THATCHAM’S short trip to Malverley’s to face East Woodhay in their second pre-season fixture was hampered by the weather.

Thatcham batted first and an excellent opening partnership of 91 between Josh O’Flynn (31) and Simon Lewis (76) got them going.

It was the introduction of Alan Williams that broke the partnership as O’Flynn edged a climbing delivery through to Darren Booth behind the stumps. The off spin of Joe Lawrance then claimed the next three wickets to fall, Chris Wright was superbly caught by Nick Bird for five, Lewis then fell for a fine 76 and Steve Bartholomew was bowled for four.

Brothers Jack and Jamie Young then added 40 together before Jack was caught for 15.

Skipper Duncan Johnson also added a quickfire 30 not out from just 22 balls and Young was unbeaten on 31 to help Thatcham to 212-5 from 40 overs.

Lawrance (3-43) and Williams (2-22) were the pick of the Woodhay bowlers.

Sadly, Thatcham managed just 12 overs in the field before rain forced the umpires to abandon the game, with Woodhay’s Will Flack having already reached a half century.

Callum Johnson was the pick of the Thatcham attack, returning figures of 1-15 from six overs.

Thatcham entertain neighbours Falkland at Brownsfield this Saturday in the last pre-season fixture.