HEREFORDSHIRE’S cricketers got their season off to the perfect start with a comprehensive opening day victory.

The county side comfortably saw off the challenge of Berkshire by 93 runs in the first match of this season’s Unicorns KO Trophy.

The match began with both sides lining up to remember former Herefordshire secretary Peter Sykes who passed away suddenly shortly after the end of last season. Both sides acknowledged his services to cricket with a minute’s applause.

In a game which saw a number of fine performances, the stand-out man was Mohammed Pardesi who took 4-16 in 6.5 overs to help bowl Berkshire out for just 129 in their pursuit of Herefordshire’s total of 222.

Batting first having won the toss on a chilly day in Colwall, Matt Pardoe, the former Worcestershire opening batsman, fell for just three while his fellow opener Liam Gwynne also failed to get into double figures.

But from a potentially precarious position of 28- 2, Ben Stebbings and David Ball steadied the ship by putting on 64 before both fell within three overs, with new signing Alex Milton falling shortly afterwards for eight.

David Exall then showed his early season touch by adding a composed 48, which featured four boundaries, as he helped the home side push on, ably supported by Martin Donald, another new signing, who made 29.

But the innings ended poorly for Herefordshire as they were dismissed for 222, losing their final three wickets in three deliveries.

Pardesi was run out for eight before Jamie McIlroy and Aatif Ali fell leg before to former Middlesex spinner Chris Peploe, who finished with 3-19.

In reply, Berkshire got off to a steady start before Ball claimed the first of his four scalps by removing David Barnes for six before bowling Michael Roberts, who made 22.

Soon afterwards, Ali got in on the act by getting rid of two more visiting batsmen before Ball claimed two more wickets to leave Berkshire reeling on 64-6.

With the visitors on the ropes, Herefordshire turned to star man Pardesi who didn’t let his side down. His four victims had attempted a revival but were thwarted by Pardesi who claimed Euan Brock, Peploe, Suki Kang and Tom Nugent to wrap up victory.

Herefordshire now travel to Wormsley to face Oxfordshire in the same competition this Sunday (11am) before facing Buckinghamshire at Brockhampton on May 10.

Wormsley Cricket has announced it is offering Herefordshire members free admission and car parking for the match against Oxfordshire.

To take advantage of this, members must bring their membership cards with them on the day.

After the Buckinghamshire game, the county then face Staffordshire later in the month.