SECOND-PLACED Hurst survived a late batting collapse to salvage a draw at home to Slough 2nds in Division 2b.

The visitors chose to bat and openers Ali Ahmed (45) and Faisal Khan looked in supreme touch, putting on 138 for the first wicket before the former was caught by Andrew Cording off the bowling of left-arm spinner Lewis Smith.

However, Khan continued to produce a masterclass, passing his century and going on to score a magnificent 168 which included 33 4s and one 6.

Without that innings Slough would have been in trouble, as of the remaining batsmen only Gheyas Khan made double figures.

The Hurst fightback was led by spinners Smith (3-79) and Phil Higgs (3-74), while Andrew Ruddock also claimed 3-19 as Slough closed their 52 overs on 268-9.

The hosts made a steady if somewhat slow start as openers Smith (33) and Max Carroll (37) shared 73 before the latter was dismissed by man-of-the-match Khan.

However, after reaching a strong position on 136-2, Hurst suffered a worrying collapse and were eventually indebted to another superb innings from Greg Smith (72 from 52 balls) to guide them to safety on 186-9.

Hurst face a trip to top-of-the-table Boyne Hill this coming Saturday (1pm).

Wargrave climbed off the foot of the table with a stunning five-wicket win at Henley 2nds.

The home side made a strong start after choosing to bat as Andy Harris and the hard-hitting Tom Oldershaw put on 90 before Mandip Sohi (3-28) trapped the former lbw.

The same bowler struck again with the score on 131 as he bowled Oldershaw for an impressive 82 from just 70 balls.

Alex Price and Euan Brock were both dismissed by Dan Davies (2-32), but Will Legg (48) steadied the ship as Henley were bowled out for 250. Berkshire all-rounder Euan Woods (2-74) and ex-Henley man Neal Robinson (2-36) also impressed with the ball.

Wargrave’s reply was a trial by spin as left armers Brock and Cameron Jacobsen bowled more than 34 overs in reply, initially reducing the visitors to 41-3.

However, Woods (82) and Robinson put on a match-winning 157 for the fourth wicket, and the latter completed a wonderful century before being trapped lbw by Jacobsen (2-62) for 102 with the scores level.

Nevertheless, Ricky Kniveton held his nerve to take Wargrave home with eight balls to spare, bringing up a century for Brock (3-100) in the process.

Wargrave host Burnham 2nds on Saturday (1pm).

In Division 4b, things got even worse for rock-bottom Bracknell as they were annihilated by 167 runs at British Airways 2nds.

The Larges Lane side watched the hosts rack up 259 before they were skittled for just 92.

Bracknell have now lost nine of their 10 games this season and are 61 points adrift at the foot of the table.

Things get no easier for Bracknell when they host second-placed Cookham Dean 2nds on Saturday (1pm).

Hurst 2nds pulled off a sensational run chase as they secured a three-wicket success at Theale & Tilehurst 2nds in Division 6b.

Tim Everitt (3-44) made early inroads for Hurst, but they were then flayed to all parts during an outstanding innings of 158 not out by the prolific Mohammed Jamil.

He received useful support from the middle order and, aided by a late flourish from captain Brian Cooper (38no), T&T reached 308-6 in their 52 overs.

Ram Sankaran (4-68) accounted for skipper Tom Hibbs early on, and the visitors were wobbling when Cooper had Roy Head caught for 4.

However, Jack Wrigley (87) and Luke Redman (70 from 49 balls) put their side back in the contest, and some excellent lower order contributions took Hurst to victory with an over to spare.

Scott Morton produced a magnificent spell to earn title-chasing Wargrave 2nds a dramatic 21-run win at home to Teddington Town 2nds.

Wargrave appeared in trouble after being bowled out for 146, but Morton’s wonderful 7-31 helped the hosts rout the Londoners for just 125.

Division 8a leaders Bracknell 2nds cruised to a nine-wicket success at home to Cove Academy, bowling the visitors out for just 117 before Paul Henly (58) top scored in a comfortable run chase for his in-form side.

SECOND-PLACED Hurst survived a late batting collapse to salvage a draw at home to Slough 2nds in Division 2b.

The visitors chose to bat and openers Ali Ahmed (45) and Faisal Khan looked in supreme touch, putting on 138 for the first wicket before the former was caught by Andrew Cording off the bowling of left-arm spinner Lewis Smith.

However, Khan continued to produce a masterclass, passing his century and going on to score a magnificent 168 which included 33 4s and one 6.

Without that innings Slough would have been in trouble, as of the remaining batsmen only Gheyas Khan made double figures.

The Hurst fightback was led by spinners Smith (3-79) and Phil Higgs (3-74), while Andrew Ruddock also claimed 3-19 as Slough closed their 52 overs on 268-9.

The hosts made a steady if somewhat slow start as openers Smith (33) and Max Carroll (37) shared 73 before the latter was dismissed by man-of-the-match Khan.

However, after reaching a strong position on 136-2, Hurst suffered a worrying collapse and were eventually indebted to another superb innings from Greg Smith (72 from 52 balls) to guide them to safety on 186-9.

Hurst face a trip to top-of-the-table Boyne Hill this coming Saturday (1pm).

Wargrave climbed off the foot of the table with a stunning five-wicket win at Henley 2nds.

The home side made a strong start after choosing to bat as Andy Harris and the hard-hitting Tom Oldershaw put on 90 before Mandip Sohi (3-28) trapped the former lbw.

The same bowler struck again with the score on 131 as he bowled Oldershaw for an impressive 82 from just 70 balls.

Alex Price and Euan Brock were both dismissed by Dan Davies (2-32), but Will Legg (48) steadied the ship as Henley were bowled out for 250. Berkshire all-rounder Euan Woods (2-74) and ex-Henley man Neal Robinson (2-36) also impressed with the ball.

Wargrave’s reply was a trial by spin as left armers Brock and Cameron Jacobsen bowled more than 34 overs in reply, initially reducing the visitors to 41-3.

However, Woods (82) and Robinson put on a match-winning 157 for the fourth wicket, and the latter completed a wonderful century before being trapped lbw by Jacobsen (2-62) for 102 with the scores level.

Nevertheless, Ricky Kniveton held his nerve to take Wargrave home with eight balls to spare, bringing up a century for Brock (3-100) in the process.

Wargrave host Burnham 2nds on Saturday (1pm).

In Division 4b, things got even worse for rock-bottom Bracknell as they were annihilated by 167 runs at British Airways 2nds.

The Larges Lane side watched the hosts rack up 259 before they were skittled for just 92.

Bracknell have now lost nine of their 10 games this season and are 61 points adrift at the foot of the table.

Things get no easier for Bracknell when they host second-placed Cookham Dean 2nds on Saturday (1pm).

Hurst 2nds pulled off a sensational run chase as they secured a three-wicket success at Theale & Tilehurst 2nds in Division 6b.

Tim Everitt (3-44) made early inroads for Hurst, but they were then flayed to all parts during an outstanding innings of 158 not out by the prolific Mohammed Jamil.

He received useful support from the middle order and, aided by a late flourish from captain Brian Cooper (38no), T&T reached 308-6 in their 52 overs.

Ram Sankaran (4-68) accounted for skipper Tom Hibbs early on, and the visitors were wobbling when Cooper had Roy Head caught for 4.

However, Jack Wrigley (87) and Luke Redman (70 from 49 balls) put their side back in the contest, and some excellent lower order contributions took Hurst to victory with an over to spare.

Scott Morton produced a magnificent spell to earn title-chasing Wargrave 2nds a dramatic 21-run win at home to Teddington Town 2nds.

Wargrave appeared in trouble after being bowled out for 146, but Morton’s wonderful 7-31 helped the hosts rout the Londoners for just 125.

Division 8a leaders Bracknell 2nds cruised to a nine-wicket success at home to Cove Academy, bowling the visitors out for just 117 before Paul Henly (58) top scored in a comfortable run chase for his in-form side.