HEREFORDSHIRE’S defence of the Unicorns Knockout Trophy got off to an almost perfect with a nine-wicket victory over Wales MC at Newport in the first of their group games.

After dismissing the home team for just 135, half-centuries from skipper Matt Pardoe and Liam Gwynne guided the county side to a nine-wicket success.

“Right from the start it was a disciplined performance from the bowlers who created the chances,” said a delighted Pardoe.

“Then it was a solid run chase to ensure that we did it with ease.”

Herefordshire might have anticipated a more arduous time in the field after losing the toss on a bright and sunny April day, especially as the pitch they were playing on had produced around 600 runs in a club match the day before.

But opening bowlers Dan Conway (3-15) and Jamie McIlroy (2-23) used any help in the conditions to the full.

Conway clipped the stumps of opener before Joe Voke before McIlroy sent home skipper Grey Holmes’ off stump cartwheeling out of the ground.

Keeper Ian Bullock helped in the dismissal of Sean Griffiths off Conway and when McIlroy trapped Steffan Roberts in front of his stumps, Wales were reeling at 27-4.

A fine innings of 69 from opener Sam Pearce helped to keep the runs flowing at one end but, at the other, Adam Keane fell to David Ball (1-16) and Chris Matthews was bowled mowing horribly across Pardoe’s left-arm spin.

When off-spinner Peter Burgoyne (2-30) persuaded Pearce to hole out to Chris Whittock at 105-7, it became clear that the end was near.

A spectacular slip catch by Ball off Burgoyne removed Scott Thomas and some poor running allowed an accurate Neil Pinner throw to remove Richard Edwards.

Prem Sisodya (27) prolonged the innings with some good strokes but eventually fell to a catch behind off Conway to end the innings on 135.

With the early end to the innings, Hereford had 45 minutes batting before the lunch interval.

And Pardoe and Gwynne cast aside any doubts of a nervous reply with some solid batting.

Pardoe, in particular, played some fine strokes all around the wicket to ensure that Herefordshire reached 56 without loss at the break.

After the resumption, it was Gwynne’s turn to come into his own, cracking seven fours and two sixes before being bowled by Voke for 56.

The opening partnership of 111 was the highest stand for any innings by Herefordshire in a one-day match against Wales.

Pardoe, however, was in no mood to miss out on time at the crease and stroked 11 boundaries in his attractive, unbeaten 61 as, with Whittock (10 not out), he guided the side to victory.

“It was a very professional performance and carries on the momentum from last year,” said coach Steve Watkins, who will continue in post for the next match against last season’s beaten finalists Staffordshire at Eastnor on May 7.

“It was an ideal start and a real boost for the new regime to get under way with a win.”