CHESHIRE cruised to an impressive seven-wicket victory away to Berkshire in the Western Division.

The 2005 champions had spinners Nathan Dumelow and Danny Woods to thank for some fine bowling, before a third-wicket stand of 145 between Ben Spendlove and Chris Bassano saw the visitors ease home with eight overs to spare.

Heavy rain saw the first two days of the three-day clash at Finchampstead washed out.

But both captains wanted a result and so declared their first innings, effectively making it a one-day match.

Woods (4-26) and Dumelow (4-61) led the way as Berkshire slipped from 136-4 at lunch to 175 all out - the home side's last six wickets tumbling for just 39 r uns.

And although Cheshire briefly faltered at 28-2, Oulton Park duo Bassano (79no) and Spendlove (54) made sure their side extended their unbeaten start to the season.

Cheshire skipper Andy Hall said: 'That's a great win for us.

'Berkshire could have got a lot more runs, but I thought we bowled excellently. Danny and Nathan slowed them right down and just kept taking wickets after lunch.

'We stuttered a little bit when me and Danny (Leech) got out early on, but Ben and Chris batted superbly to make sure we won.'

Having beaten Devon - the defending champions - in their opening fixture, Cheshire remain undefeated in the three-day format of the game, as well as being unbeaten in the Knockout Trophy.