HEREFORDSHIRE marched into the quarter-finals of the ECB 38 County Cup and set up a clash at Gloucestershire Board with a 42-run win over Warwickshire Board at Brockhampton.

The county were anchored by an unbeaten century from Chris Boroughs, skipper in the absence of the injured Harshad Patel, in Herefordshire's total 227-4.

In a match reduced to 37 overs per side due to a rain-delayed start, Warwickshire were always struggling in pursuit of their target.

The visitors lost wickets steadily, despite motoring on at a rate of six runs per over, and three wickets and two catches for Jamie Layton broke their resistance.

James Brinkley returned some creditable figures of 2-19 from seven overs, while Nathan Round also grabbed a brace of wickets.

Dan Dalton and Jim Trouthton had threatened to take the chase to Herefordshire after they both put in quick-fire contributions.

Number three Dalton hit 39 in just 34 balls, while number four batsman Trouthton was close behind with 36 in as many deliveries, but their departures signalled the end of the visitors' hopes.

From there on, only Kevin Bray (13), Rookie De Silva (19) and Nahim Sajjad (12) managed double figures as Warwick-shire's middle and lower sagged to 185 all out in 30.5 overs.

Previously, a captain's innings of 100 not out from Boroughs rallied the home county after the first-over dismissal of Paul Lazen-bury gave Herefordshire a rocky start.

But Boroughs' 114-ball ton, which included one six and 10 fours, and opener Rob Hughes (54) resurrected Herefordshire as they amassed 148 for the second wicket.

Sajjad sent Hughes back to the pavilion before Round chipped in with 16 of a 48-run fourth wicket stand, while Neeraj Prabhu notched an unbeaten 14 to set an unassailable total.

Herefordshire finished on top of Group 4 with a 100 per cent record from four matches after beating Shropshire, Worcester-shire CB and Wales in previous fixtures.