GRAHAM Thorne's winning boundary secured Worcestershire over 60s' unbeaten record at Berkshire.

They won by two wickets at Falkland CC, Newbury, with nine balls to spare.

Worcestershire lost the toss and were again asked to field with Berkshire racing to 45 off nine overs.

Martin Mudway trapped one of the openers lbw for 32 before tight bowling from Bob Deaves and Thorne checked the hosts' run-rate.

Only 16 runs were scored in the next nine overs and Deaves claimed a wicket in the last of his allotted overs to finish with 1-26.

Thorne only conceded 29 in his nine overs but Berkshire added 66 before Bob Clarke caught and bowled Taterspill.

Wickets fell steadily as the innings progressed with Clarke finishing with 5-39 and John Shepherd chipping in with 2-41.

Gerald Wadley returned to bowl two maiden overs, helping to restrict the home team to 196-9 off their 45 overs.

The start of Worcestershire's reply was a disaster. Tight bowling restricted the run-rate and four wickets fell, including two unnecessary run-outs, as the visitors slumped to 48-4 after 15 overs.

Clarke joined Keith Middleton and they added 60 briskly before the former fell for 35.

Middleton returned to the pavilion 20 runs later after an excellent 46 and an away victory looked unlikely.

But Deaves and Roger Price had other ideas, keeping the runs flowing to add 35 before Price was dismissed for 25.

Thorne, with powerful leg-side hitting, kept Worcestershire in the hunt.

With Deaves (32) working the ball all over the field, 30 more runs were added before he was bowled with just four runs needed for victory and two overs remaining.

Thorne (23no) hit the winning boundary to earn a two-wicket victory and maintain Worcestershire's unbeaten record at the oldest age group.

The next game is scheduled to be the return match against Surrey at Malvern CC on Tuesday, August 22 (1pm).