SAEED Ahmed starred with the ball as Royal Ascot 2nds thumped Reading 3rds by eight wickets in Thames Valley League Division 5b, writes Richard Ashton.

The opening bowler took 5-28, and aided by Jason Carr (3-7), Ascot skittled their opponents for just 62 before knocking the runs off in 21.3 overs.

Bracknell (142) lost to Aldershot 2nds (143-6) by four wickets ahead of a trip to Maidenhead & Bray 2nds on Saturday.

Wokingham slipped to sixth in the Division One table after drawing at Cove.

The hosts posted 240-7 on the back of good innings from Nick Farr (99) and Najeeb Malik (56), but Stuart Parsons (69) and Michael Bates (49) were in fine touch for the Oaks as they closed on 212-7. Malik completed a fine all-round display by taking 4-72.

Wokingham host Falkland this coming Saturday (1pm).

Hurst secured a third Division 2b win of the campaign with a narrow 19-run success at home to Burnham 2nds.

Phil Higgs top scored with 46 for the hosts, while Alex Kayser (39) also played a useful innings in their total of 193-8.

Burnham suffered a disastrous start as they lost both openers cheaply, and with Lewis Smith claiming 3-45, they were eventually dismissed for 174, Omar Sidique playing something of a lone hand with a gutsy 74 not out.

Hurst entertain Thatcham Town on Saturday (1pm).

Royal Ascot suffered a disappointing five-wicket defeat at home to Slough 2nds in a rain-affected game.

Jack Kendall made 35 for the hosts, but their total of 155-5 off 37 overs was well under-par, allowing Slough to ease home.

Royal Ascot visit Henley 2nds this Saturday.

In Division 4b, Wokingham 2nds beat Stoke Green 2nds by four wickets.

Luca Wade (3-53) and Rakesh Patel (3-20) did the damage for the Oaks as they bowled their opponents out for 152, and Matthew Loxton’s 38 helped them to victory.

Hurst 2nds were thrashed by 205 runs at home to Cove 3rds in Division 6b.

Tim Everitt took 6-43 for the hosts as they bowled Cove out for 209, but Hurst then collapsed to just 44 all out themselves.

Jack Lunghusen blasted 76 from just 43 balls to inspire Royal Ascot 3rds to a 26-run success against Purley-on-Thames 2nds.

Barry Carter took 4-37 as Ascot were bowled out for 157, but Mike Wyatt’s 5-21 ensured the Potters were dismissed for 131, Gautham Kamath top scoring with 47.

The game between Wokingham 3rds and Wargrave 2nds was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to bad weather.

In Division 7a, Peter Henly took 4-27 for Bracknell 2nds, but they were bowled out for 112 in a 50-run defeat at Yateley 3rds.

A stunning opening partnership between John Barker (66no) and Ben Pickbourne (93no) fired Wokingham 4ths to a 10-wicket home win against Royal Ascot 4ths.

Shagnik Banerjee scored 49 for Ascot in their total of 165-9, with Jamie Cable taking 4-42.

However, that never looked like being enough once the Oaks openers got going, and they reached 168-0 off 31.1 overs.

In Division 9a, Wokingham 5ths endured a tough day at the office as they were thrashed by 110 runs at home to Maidenhead & Bray 4ths.

Maids posted 157-8 after being asked to bat, but Wokingham then suffered a nightmare reply and were shot out for just 47.