BINFIELD CC had to settle for a draw in their rain-shortened Chilterns League Division One game at home to Chalfont St Giles, writes Richard Ashton.

Visiting openers Chris Cross (51) and Alex Hardy (71) shared a 119-run stand for the first wicket to put their side on top, Jack Collett making the initial breakthrough when he had the former caught by Paul Edgington.

Mike Staves had Hardy caught behind by Andrew Haas to make it 162-2, and the wicketkeeper then ran out Dan Heaney with the total on 191.

Chris Bauhomi’s (31) departure one run later prompted a further collapse as Ali Dickie (3-32) returned to stifle the lower order, Chalfont eventually ending their 47 overs on 235-8.

Binfield’s reply started poorly as opening pair Chris Morgan and Steve Carson were both dismissed to leave the hosts 28-2, and when Haas was removed the hosts were 51-3.

Captain Sean Ennis (52) looked in fine touch as he pushed his side forward, but after he and Adam Marshall fell in quick succession, Binfield were on the ropes at 96-5.

Edgington (27) and Mike Staves (33) steadied the ship in a sixth-wicket stand of 58 which was ended when the former was caught by Hardy off Liam Cross.

Edgington was the next to depart with the score on 172, and despite Jack Collett making 20, the hosts could only close on 180-8 from their 43 overs.

Seventh-placed Binfield travel to Wraysbury this coming Saturday (12.30pm).

Binfield 2nds returned with a draw in another rain-affected contest at Division Two champions-elect Harpsden.

Neil Jones made an early breakthrough for the visitors when he bowled Jack Brown for 10, but Sam Imlay (88) and Will Stevens (30) put Harpsden in control.

Stand-in captain Ben Hancock added 58 as the hosts totaled 236-5, Thomas Nower (3-52) the pick of the Binfield bowling attack.

Tom Hancock claimed two early wickets in the visitors’ reply, but Richard Higginson and Tim Vines (34no) looked solid till the former fell to Ed Birkett. Two more wickets fell before the rain arrived with Binfield 96-5. Braywood visit Binfield 2nds on Saturday (12.30pm).