HEATHER Knight inspired Berkshire to a 74-run win over Somerset at North Maidenhead on Sunday - their third County Championship victory in succession, writes Dave Wright.

The England skipper

followed up her century against Worcestershire by making 75 off 99 balls, hitting nine boundaries in the process, before being caught behind the wicket.

It was fortunate she was in good form again, as only two of her teammates managed to make it to two figures, Emily Cunningham scoring 16 and Lauren Bell 13.

Bell was soon among the wickets, twice hitting the stumps as Somerset were reduced to 8-4, the other two wickets going to England’s Anya Shrubsole.

Only Nat Wraith, batting at five, managed to offer any resistance, hitting 47 (six fours) before being run out by Ashleigh Muttitt.

Somerset’s total of 86 included 20 extras, their innings lasting less than 26 overs.

All of the five bowlers used by

Berkshire

had something to celebrate with Knight claiming 3-12 off 6.4 overs, Shrubsole 2-6, Bell 2-25, Lissy MacLeod 1-16 and Pheobe Graham 1-19.

Berkshire will face a much tougher test this coming Sunday when they travel to Sidmouth to take on Devon, the only other side in Division Two still unbeaten after three games.

New head coach Danni Warren commented: “The girls showed a lot of character. We were never really ever on top of the game and had to battle pretty hard.

“Putting enough runs on the board to defend was our first challenge and then a great start with the ball helped us to get the win. It's a pleasing start to the season for us.”

Berkshire men’s 2s played two Twenty20 games against Herefordshire at Eastnor on Sunday, losing them both.

In the first, they restricted their hosts to 134-4, but managed only 94-9 (Hector Chambers 23*) in reply.

In the second game, Berks posted 130-6 (Salman Khalid 25*) with Herefordshire losing only two wickets in reaching their target with nine balls to spare.