A MAGNIFICENT spell by spinner Paul Dewick helped Wokingham climb into second place in Division One of the Thames Valley League following their six-wicket success at leaders Cove, writes Richard Ashton.

Wokingham chose to bowl after winning the toss, and they gained almost instant success when Tom Redhead edged Jacob Clark to wicketkeeper Michael Bates, leaving the home side 3-1.

James Marsh and Stanley Marisa settled the ship, but the introduction of Dewick heralded the departure of the latter, bowled with the score on 38.

Dewick then settled into a monumental 20.5 over spell, concluding with tremendous figures of 7-50 as Cove sere were dismissed for 162. Captain Jordan Finney top scored with 34, while the other wickets were taken by Tom Wood and via a Stuart Hayter run out.

The run chase proved a relatively straightforward affair for the Oaks following the departure of Stuart Parsons, with youngster Archie Carter (52), Dan Housego (38) and Hayter (34) guiding them to victory in 44.3 overs.

Wokingham have a local derby against Finchampstead 2nds on Saturday (1pm).

Eversley jumped up to seventh in the Division 2a table with a convincing seven-wicket success at Harefield 2nds.

Australian Andrew Niblett (4-26 and 52no from just 25 balls) proved to be in inspired form for the Boars, who dismissed the home side for 149 with Stuart Tidbury also taking 4-21.

Opener Saranya Madina then made 58 for Eversley, and with Niblett blasting eight fours and two sixes, they raced to victory in 23.5 overs. Eversley are at home to Chesham 2nds this Saturday (1pm).

In Division 2b, Hurst (150) lost to Beaconsfield (245-6 declared off 48 overs) by 95 runs, Harry Stephens taking 6-38 for Beaconsfield.

Hurst host Thatcham Town on Saturday (1pm).

Anthony Clapham scored 60 not out for Wokingham 2nds (216-7 declared in 51 overs) drew with Falkland 2nds (153-8) in Division 3a. John Macdonald took 4-40 for the Oaks.

Captain Mike Judd (90) and Stuart Collar (42) batted well for Eversley 2nds (178-8), but they lost by five wickets to Beaconsfield 2nds (179-5). Rob Saunders took 3-50 for the Boars.

Mohammed Shabbir claimed figures of 3-27 for Bracknell (150), but it was not enough for them to avoid an agonising one-wicket defeat to Aldershot 2nds (152-9) in Division 5b.

Bracknell travel to Henley 3rds this coming Saturday (1pm).

Ed Fox-Smith scored 94 for Wokingham 3rds (278-3 declared in 50 overs), but they were unable to dismiss Chiswick & Whitton 2nds (251-8) despite the best efforts of Cameron Gillespie (3-66).

Ollie Lovegrove (98) and Kelvin Baillie (76no) led Hurst 2nds (284-6 declared in 45 overs) to an emphatic 178-run win against Reading 2nds (106) in Division 6b. Ian Harvey helped himself to 5-22 for Hurst.

Seb Powers (65) and Dave Howorth (54) guided Eversley 3rds (190-7) to a Division 7a draw against Kidmore End 2nds (244-6 declared after 44 overs).

Chris Chandler took 3-52 for Bracknell 2nds (68), but they were thumped by 149 runs at Maidenhead & Bray 3rds (217-8).

Wokingham 4ths (168-9) drew a thriller with Fleet 2nds (175-6), while in Division 9a, Wokingham 5ths (146) beat Cove 5ths (77) by 69 runs.

Eversley 4ths conceded their game at Wargrave 3rds.