BINFIELD’s Chilterns League Division One hopes took a severe hit as they were thrashed by 178 runs in their top-of-the-table showdown at home to Wraysbury, writes Richard Ashton.

Second-placed Binfield went into the game knowing a victory could see them leapfrog their opponents back to the summit, and they made a perfect start when Tom Nower had Matt Ward caught by wicketkeeper Andrew Haas without a run being scored.

Arsalan Yaseen (34) steadied the ship with Naeem Baig (28) before the former was bowled by Tim Vines, and when Baig was trapped lbw by Joe Sculley, Wraysbury were 78-3.

A middle order collapse led the visitors to crash to 98-6, but a magnificent 119 not out by Jayesh Mohan turned the game in his side’s favour.

Aided by useful cameos from Waqas Khan (33) and Raheel Yasin (21), Wraysbury managed to post a competitive total of 274.

Vines (3-59 off 13 overs) and Ian Goddard (2-54) were the pick of the attack.

The Binfield reply never truly got going as Khan (2-29) and Baig (2-39) reduced the home side to 65-4, opener Sean Ennis making 26.

That was as good as it got for the hosts, however, as Yaseen (6-13 off 7.3 overs) ripped through the middle and lower order, Binfield eventually shot out for just 96.

The result leaves Binfield 42 points adrift of the leaders ahead of a trip to Littlewick Green this coming Saturday (1pm).

In Division Two, fourth-placed Binfield 2nds had by far the better of their draw at Wraysbury 2nds.

Opener Kamal Gupta top scored with 57 for the visitors, while there were handy contributions from Paul Edgington (27) and Harry Lee (24) in the middle order as Binfield were bowled out for 218.

James Wright (5-33) made early inroads by dismissing three of the top four for ducks, but despite the best efforts of Scott Butler (2-34), Binfield were unable to press home their advantage for the win, Wraysbury limping to 156-9 in 47 overs.