COACH Alan Willows hailed a “particularly clinical performance” after Dorset had recorded a facile victory over MCCA Trophy holders Berkshire.

Aaron Williams, who was awarded his county cap, hit 92 to underpin Dorset’s 234-6 at a sun-drenched Dean Park before the hosts made light work of dismissing Berkshire for 181.

Victory against Wales in five days’ time would guarantee progression to the quarter-finals and would almost certainly see Dorset finish top of their group.

Willows said: “It was a tremendous effort to post 234 off 50 overs. It was a slowish track and we asked for lots of rotation of strike. They had a formidable bowling attack and we batted beautifully.”

Williams, who hit eight fours and a six in his 126-ball stay, shared a second-wicket partnership of 95 with Bournemouth new boy Josh Lawrence (50) and also put on 72 for the fourth wicket with Lymington skipper Darren Cowley (49).

Although Berkshire captain Bjorn Mordt went for just 18 from his 10 overs, former Hampshire and England spinner Shaun Udal bore the brunt of the Dorset batting and conceded 65 from his 10 overs.

Willows added: “We needed someone to go through the innings and Aaron Williams as good as did that.

“He batted really well at the top of the order. Josh Lawrence played well and rotated the strike before Darren Cowley scored a forceful 49 at the end.

“As a batting unit, we were pleased with a performance like that. As a coach, you ask for the players to do things and they did. We played nicely.”

Although David Barnes (58) and Chris Peploe (79) offered stubborn resistance, they were the only Berkshire batsmen to reach double figures as Dorset prevailed by 53 runs with Steffan Jones (3-44) arguably the pick of the bowlers, while wicketkeeper Chris Park claimed four catches.

Willows said: “We didn’t really know whether our total would be good enough against one of the top batting line-ups in Minor Counties. Berkshire are expected to again win this competition or to at least go close. We had to bowl nicely and had to have control, and we did.

“If anybody had said before the game that we would beat the holders by 53 runs, we would have bitten their hand off. It was a tremendous performance but there are a lot of things to work on before the Wales game.”