HURST'S hopes of sealing promotion from Thames Valley League Division 2b were all but ended as they slumped to a six-wicket defeat at home to Henley 2nds.

The home side elected to bat but made a disastrous start as Henley captain Simon Wheeler (2-9) and Berkshire paceman Matt Carter (3-23) reduced them to 18-5.

Phil Higgs (21) offered some resistance but there was no let up from the visitors, Carter's county teammate Euan Brock (2-27) and Nigel Dunstan (3-17) polishing off the lower order as Hurst crashed to just 76 all out.

Andrew Cording gave the home side a sniff as he removed Tom Oldershaw, Brock and Carter to leave Henley 21-3, but Andy Harris (41no) remained defiant and guided his side to a comprehensive victory.

Hurst travel to Burnham 2nds on Saturday (1pm).

In Division 3a, Royal Ascot had to settle for a draw despite having the better of their top-of-the-table clash with Thatcham Town.

Warren Miller (41no), James Gamble (39), Nick Sweetman (38) and Jack Lunghusen 36 from 22 balls) were all among the runs as Ascot posted a competitive 204-8 in their 52 overs, while Duncan Johnson (2-20) and Chris Bird (2-32) were the pick of the bowling attack.

Kevin May (4-48) put Thatcham on the back foot immediately as they slipped to 30-4, but Johnson (43) then showed his class with the bat to steady the ship.

However, he fell to Mike Brown (3-43) and the bowler then ran through the lower order, only for Thatcham to cling on for a draw on 162-9.

Royal Ascot are now just one point behind Thatcham and host Fleet this coming Saturday (1pm).

Bracknell secured a second Division 4b win of the season with a 130-run destruction of Henley 3rds.

Hafiz Mahmood made 66 as Bracknell amassed a huge 308-7, and despite Alex Price's 72, Henley collapsed to 178 all out.

Bracknell face a daunting test when leaders Yateley 2nds visit Larges Lane on Saturday (1pm).

In Division 6b, runaway leaders Royal Ascot 2nds cruised to a six-wicket success against Wargrave 2nds.

Andy Murray (3-24), Saeed Ahmed (3-47) and Henry Chapman (3-15) routed the visitors for 120, before Oliver Dunnett's unbeaten 49 ensured a smooth passage to victory for Ascot.

Hurst 2nds were bowled out for 130 and thumped by six wickets at Chiswick & Whitton 3rds.

In Division 7a, Royal Ascot 3rds had the better of a draw against Eversley 3rds.

Josh O'Shea (70no from 59 balls) and Tom Clarke (42) were the chief run scorers in Ascot's 223-6, while Stuart Tidbury claimed 3-61.

Mike Wyatt (4-36) and Elliott Coggins (4-39) had the Boars in all sorts of trouble at 77-7, but opener Dave Howarth (53) batted superbly to take his side to the brink of safety, which they achieved by finishing on 156-8.

In Division 8a, table-toppers Bracknell 2nds cruised past Windsor's total of 116 to seal a seven-wicket win.

Royal Ascot 4ths held on for a draw against Eversley 4ths.

Ben Martin (80) top scored as the Boars made 251-7, but despite Jeremy Hammond's incredible spell of 8-68, Ascot survived on 193-9 with George Payne making 70.