ROYAL Ascot beat Hurst by just one run in a Division 2b classic, writes Max Baker-Smith.

Royal Ascot batted first and looked to be in trouble at 24-3 following early wickets for Andrew Ruddock (2-59) and Nick Reynolds (2-27), but managed to recover to put on 184-6 after Oliver Dunnett held the innings together (51no).

Hurst started steadily in reply, and at 123-4 looked likely to win the game after useful contributions from Lewis Smith (33) and Tom Hibbs (53).

At 183-7 and needing only one run to win, Hurst seemed certain to come out on top, but in an extraordinary turn of events Ascot took the final three wickets without a run being scored – with the last a run out completed by Andy English – to snatch a stunning victory.

Hurst travel to Beaconsfield while Royal Ascot host Wargrave this Saturday (both 1pm).

In Division 2a, Eversley defeated Marlow Park by three wickets to record a fourth straight win and climb into third place in the table.

Marlow Park posted 218-8 batting first, with 63 from Mushtaq Khan, but Eversley – missing a number of regulars on a stag do for former opening bowler Jack Sever – chased down their total successfully with an over to spare.

An excellent 72 from Kenny England set the game up for the Boars before youngster Peter Healy (33) and Aftab Habib took them over the line.

Eversley visit Harefield 2nds this Saturday.

Eversley 2nds managed to hold on for a draw against Falkland 2nds, albeit a result which worsened their relegation worries and left them on the foot of Division 3b.

Falkland posted an impressive 244-8 batting first with opener Danny Williams scoring an excellent 81.

Eversley ended up on 172-8, showing tremendous courage to keep the Falkland attack at bay after being 39-5 and looking like losing the game.

Royal Ascot 2nds fell to a 50-run reverse at home to Falkland 3rds in Division 5b.

The visitors batted first and put on 242-9 before declaring after 50.5 overs.

The Newbury-based side then bowled out their opposition for 192 to record a comfortable victory.

Bracknell had a day to forget against Sonning 2nds as they fell to a 130-run defeat.

Sonning posted 243-8 with an impressive 99 from Mark Richards the centre point of their innings.

In reply, Bracknell fell for 113 to leave them mid table and ending any realistic hopes of promotion.

Meanwhile in Division 6b, Royal Ascot 3rds managed a comfortable 100-run success against Theale and Tilehurst 2nds.

Ascot batted first and posted a competitive 201, but T&T collapsed to 101 all out in the face of fine bowling from Theo Housegood (5-34) and Tom Dummigan (4-44).

Eversley 3rds beat Yateley 3rds by two wickets in their Division 7a clash.

Yateley totalled 187 as captain Rob Saunders (7-106) again led the way, and the Boars managed to chase it down in just 42 overs despite a fine spell from from Jacob Vincent (5-49).

Bracknell 2nds defeated Theale and Tilehurst 3rds by 87 runs.

The hosts declared on 246-3 after 37 overs before they dismissed T&T for 159.

Royal Ascot 4ths (179-8) could only manage a draw against Reading 4ths (164-9) in Division 8a, while Eversley 4ths (231-4) managed an impressive victory against Kew 4ths (112) by 119 runs.