HEREFORDSHIRE continued their excellent start to the season with a comfortable 153-run over Cheshire in Unicorn Minor Counties Knock-Out Trophy at Colwall.

Cheshire won the toss and put Herefordshire into bat.

Captain Matt Pardoe led the way with a scintillating 99 off 85 balls, which included four sixes and nine fours.

Cheshire did remove the wickets of Liam Gwynne (17) and Neil Pinner (18), but David Ball came in and pout on a crucial 110-run partnership with Pardoe.

When Pardoe departed, Herefordshire were cruising on 194-3.

But Cheshire got back into the game with three quick wickets.

Chris Whittock went for just three, before Peter Burgoyne was trapped lbw for four.

And when Charlie Lowen went for a duck, Herefordshire were 210-6.

But Ball steadied the ship before he departed for 59 off 85 balls.

Herefordshire were eventually bowled out for 258.

But Cheshire were soon in trouble in their reply, collapsing to 40-7 off 16.2 overs.

Ball removed all of the opening three batsmen, with Liam Smith also helping himself to three wickets.

Only Nicholas Anderson (51) scored any runs of note for Cheshire, with Pardoe and Dan Conway also taking a wicket each.

Herefordshire's next match is this Sunday when they travel to Himley to face Staffordshire.