WORCESTERSHIRE Over 60s made a disappointing start to the new campaign with defeat to Berkshire at Hungerford.

It was the county's opening game in the Image Company Home Counties 60 Plus Championship after the previous week's game against Surrey had to be postponed due to bad weather.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat with Merriott and Tatterspill starting warily against the accurate opening attack of Trevor Knowles and Peter Tudge. Berkshire struggled to 16 after 10 overs but were aided by four chances being missed by the visitors.

After an unsure start, the run-rate gradually increased and the score reached 93 in the 22nd over before Worcester-shire claimed their first success with Derek Ebbage taking a well-judged catch off Graham Thorne to dismiss Tatterspill for 27.

Merriott soon followed him back to the pavilion when he was run out by a direct hit from Bob Rogers.

Martin Mudway trapped Prior lbw for six with the score at 117-3 after 31 overs as Worcestershire checked the run-rate. Holdway and Marston then added 52 before Barry Briscoe caught Holdway off Gerald Wadley's bowling for 35.

When the score was 93-0, Worcestershire expected to be chasing a score well in excess of 200 but steady bowling at the death by Wadley and Chris Taylor restricted the home side to 190-4 - a target thought to be well within the visitors' capabilities.

Keith Middleton and Briscoe gave Worcestershire a flying start, adding 42 in nine overs before Briscoe was dismissed for 25. Taylor joined Middle-ton and took the score to 99 after 25 overs before he fell to a juggled catch for 19.

The visitors were still well-placed at 99-2 with Middleton scoring steadily but Ade Holdway (2-15) applied the brakes and rusty batting by the middle order brought Berkshire back into the game as wickets fell steadily.

Middleton was dismissed for an excellent 68 with the score at 150 but Worcestershire were now well behind the clock and, although everybody in the lower order made contributions, Worcestershire were unable to reach the target and were bowled out for 174.