WOKINGHAM dropped to sixth in an increasingly congested Home Counties Premier League Division Two table after they were forced to bat for a draw at table-toppers Buckingham Town, writes Richard Ashton.

Buckingham chose to bat after winning the toss, and the home side reached 33 before Leigh Tomlinson edged Iain Muirden to wicketkeeper Michael Bates.

Jacob Clark bowled Mark Hulbert to leave Town 45-2, but a useful 56-run third-wicket stand between Steve Brunning and Ashley Pearson steadied the ship.

Brunning was bowled by Paul Dewick for 47, but Pearson (77) and Rob Large (67) added 114 for the fourth wicket to put themselves well in control.

The duo both fell victim to Shiryar Ahmed ( 2-52), and with Muirden (5-64) bowling well at the death, Wokingham managed to restrict their opponents to 272-9 in 58 overs.

The Oaks' reply started in dreadful fashion as James Bird edged George Humphries behind before Dan Housego fell in the same manner first ball, Wokingham 3-2.

Stuart Parsons and Simon Myles both dug in, but after they had been dismissed Wokingham were 47-4 and in serious trouble.

However, Bates (60no from 94 balls) and captain Stuart Hayter (41 from 68) batted calmly to reduce the danger, and despite Hayter and Muirden being dismissed, Wokingham were able to safely reach 166-6.

Wokingham host Amersham this coming Saturday.

In Division 2b of the Thames Valley League, Wokingham 2nds did not have a game following Yateley's departure from the league.

The Oaks travel to High Wycombe 2nds this Saturday.

Wokingham 3rds went top of Division 5b after obliterating Aldershot 2nds by 219 runs.

Openers Salman Khlaid (86) and Jake Turner (80) led the way as the Oaks declared on 281-5 from 49 overs, and Callum Creighton (4-10) and Anthony Muir (4-18) then blitzed the visitors for just 62.

In Division 7a, Wokingham 4ths (150) lost by four wickets to Yateley 2nds (154-6).

Wokingham 5ths hammered Yateley 3rds by 153 runs in Division 9a.

Ranjeet Sidhu (58) and Glyn Clements (54no) helped Wokingham make 235-5, and Mark James bagged 4-13 to helped skittle Yateley for 83.