MAC Keast struck 87 and Ed Oliver 82 as Finchampstead 2nds fell agonisingly short of victory at home to Wargrave, having to settle for the better of a draw in Division 2b, writes Richard Ashton.

The home side racked up an impressive 284-4 in their 52 overs, and Wargrave were forced to hang on at 270-9 in reply, Michael Cowdell top scoring with 91 as Asim Hussain took 7-123.

Alex Kayser (55) and Connor White (49) were among the runs as Hurst had the better of a draw against Aldershot.

The home side totalled 222-7 before off spinner Phil Higgs (4-55 off 21 overs) and paceman Nick Reynolds (3-42) nearly bowled them to victory, Aldershot closing on 156-9.

Hurst visit Royal Ascot on Saturday.

Andy Murray took 3-13 for Royal Ascot (133), but they were beaten by 40 runs at home to Thatcham Town (173).

In Division 2a, Eversley escaped with a draw at Marlow.

Imran Nawaz’s excellent 110 fired the hosts to an imposing 291-7 before they declared after 51 overs, but with Andrew Niblett (83 from 70 balls) and Tom Howorth (51) batting well, the Boars were able to survive on 202-9.

Eversley visit OMT this Saturday.

Sean Woodward made a fine 61 as Finchampstead 3rds dominated their Division 3a draw at home to Bagshot.

Finches posted 219-7 before restricting their opponents to 177-9. Woodward completed a fine personal performance with 3-21, while Michael O’Donahue took 3-81.

A magnificent 131 not out from Alex Jackson rescued Division 4a table-toppers Binfield from a precarious position in their draw at Newbury.

The Binfield top order was blasted away before Eddie Lee (46) and Jackson steadied the ship, the visitors closing on 217-9.

Newbury struggled in reply as Duncan Wessels took 5-48, the hosts ending on 138-8 thanks to 63 from skipper Kevin Mills.

Binfield travel to White Waltham next Saturday.

Royal Ascot 2nds dug in to secure a draw against second-placed Sulhamstead.

Captain Aaron Briggs (60no), Phil Walden (60) and Marc Thompson (48) led the charge as Sully smashed 278-5 before declaring after 49 overs, but Gary Clarke (52) anchored the reply as the visitors ended on 181-8.

Excellent spells from Colin Webb (4-27) and Joe Howorth (3-23) inspired Eversley 2nds to a six-wicket victory at home to Sonning 2nds in Division 5b.

Sonning were dismissed for 173 before Paul Ager’s 65 helped the Boars ease home.

Mohammed Shabbir’s 4-23 proved crucial in moving Bracknell (233) up to second place following their 47-run victory against Aldershot 2nds (186).

Taz Shah (92) continued his fine form for the visitors, while Majid Sherif also added 41.

Bracknell travel to Wokingham 3rds on Saturday.

In Division 6b, second-placed Binfield 2nds cruised to a seven-wicket victory at home to Reading 3rds.

Tom Nower’s 3-30 helped the visitors bowl their opponents out for 160, and Steve Jeffrey (98) and Will Sennett (45) took Binfield to victory in just 24.1 overs.

Captain Ollie Lovegrove (79no) and Tom Walker (45no) were in fine form as Hurst 2nds (133-0) trounced Burnham 4ths (132) by 10 wickets.

Tim Everitt (4-41) and Ian Harvey (4-6) were the destroyers-in-chief for Hurst.

Adil Mohammed top scored with 46 as Finchampstead 4ths beat Theale & Tilehurst 2nds by 81 runs.

Finches were bowled out for 177, but Jake Shortland (4-11) and Mike Simmonite (4-42) then impressed as T&T were rolled for 96.

Dan Corsini made a fine unbeaten 86 for Royal Ascot 3rds (243-7), but they lost by five wickets to Newbury 2nds (244-5) in Division 7a.

Eversley 3rds (210-9) just held on for a draw at home to Theale & Tilehurst 3rds (283-6), Khadim Aslam making 77 for the visitors.

In Division 8a, Chris Chandler bagged 4-41 to set Bracknell 2nds (123-3) on their way to a seven-wicket victory at home to Sonning 3rds (121).

Royal Ascot 4ths (153-9) were beaten by three wickets at Bradfield 2nds (155-7).

Seb Powers batted well for 66 as Eversley 4ths thumped Newbury 3rds by 143 runs in Division 9a.

The Boars posted 246-8 before Aiden Fletcher’s 5-22 helped dismiss Newbury for 103.

Finchampstead 5ths collected 20 points after Thatcham Town 4ths conceded their game.