BERKSHIRE Over 60s suffered a 99-run defeat to unbeaten table-toppers Kent in their County Championship game at Wraysbury last Tuesday, writes Richard Ashton.

Kent racked up an impressive 254-3 from their 45 overs after winning the toss and choosing to bat, with Bob Phillips (79), Chris Tarrant (49), Kim Phillips (44no) and Rupert Staple (43no) all helping themselves to runs.

Richard West claimed 2-82 from his nine overs, while Jerry Smith (1-29) was the other Berkshire wicket taker.

Dave Tooze and West put on 27 for the first wicket, with the stand ended when the latter was bowled by David Crompton for 15.

Ronnie Brock made 10, but a middle-order collapse ending with Tooze’s dismissal for 46 left the home side reeling on 99-7.

Errol Masters (30no) and Chris England (23) did provide some resistance, but Berkshire were ultimately well beaten, ending their innings on 155-9.

Berkshire Over 50s lost their unbeaten record and were knocked off top spot after they lost a high-scoring thriller at Sussex by five wickets on Wednesday.

The visitors made a fine start after choosing to bat as Nick Pitcher (66) and Gordon Morgan (73) shared an opening partnership of 124, the stand ending when Pitcher was trapped lbw by David Dunn.

Captain Gary Loveday added a quick-fire 23 from 18 balls until he was dismissed by Rajesh Sharma, but Berkshire were still well on top even when Morgan’s innings was ended with the score on 189.

Phil Oxley blasted a sensational unbeaten 76 from just 41 balls – an innings which included seven boundaries and five maximums – and the away side appeared in complete control as they ended their innings on 284-6. Sharma proved the pick of the attack with 4-67 from his seven overs.

Mark Baker removed Sharma early on, but Sussex batted superbly, with opener Scott Stratton (94 from 81 balls) and Gary Hunt (69 from 59 balls) leading the way.

Baker (2-27) caught and bowled Jason Robinson to reduce Sussex to 194-5, but a wonderful cameo of 50 not out from 32 balls by Damian Cummins fired Sussex to victory with just seven balls to spare.

Berkshire Over 60s 2nds gained a modicum of revenge for the county by beating Sussex by 20 runs on Thursday.

Opener Chris Harding top scored with 62 as Berkshire made 206-7 in their 45 overs, and John Muir, Tony King, Keith Woodman and Ken Fuller took a wicket apiece as Sussex closed on 186-4, Bob Page top scoring with an unbeaten 55.