RICHARD Ellison held his nerve to earn Royal Ascot 3rds a draw in their Division 6b game at Reading 3rds, writes Richard Ashton.

Mike Wyatt took 3-33 to help restrict Reading to 233, and Ellison’s unbeaten 36 ensured Ascot closed on 157-8.

Wokingham crashed to a 97-run defeat at Henley 2nds in Division One.

Will Legg (65no), Tom Oldershaw (64) and Euan Brock (64) led the way as the hosts racked up 301-4, and despite Stuart Parsons making 66, the Oaks were dimissed for 204, Wokingham host Marlow on Saturday (1pm).

Andrew Niblett smashed a sensational 124 from just 80 balls, but Eversley lost by three wickets at Hayes in Division 2a.

The Boars were bowled out for 201, and Hayes knocked the runs off in 37.5 overs despite Rezaul Roni claiming 3-34.

Eversley visit Maidenhead & Bray on Saturday (1pm).

Hurst opened their Division 2b campaign with a tight 11-run victory against Yateley.

Floyd Nagara (51) and Alex Kayser (46) impressed as Hurst were bowled out for 215, and with Phil Higgs (3-22) and Ross Bonnell (3-38) starring with the ball, they knocked over their opponents for 204. Hurst host Slough 2nds on Saturday (1pm).

Elliot Coggins took 3-33, but Royal Ascot (164) lost by 76 runs to Beaconsfield (240).

Royal Ascot host Sonning this coming Saturday (1pm).

Charlie Carter took 3-0 as Wokingham 2nds (27-0) obliterated Yateley 2nds (26) in Division 3a.

Eversley 2nds (102) were thumped by NPL (103-1) in Division 4a, while Dan Corsini’s 73 was not enough for Royal Ascot 2nds (215-9) who lost by five wickets to Beaconsfield 2nds (217-5).

Bracknell (300-9 declared in 49 overs) overcame Chiswick & Whitton 2nds (259) by 41 runs in Division 5b.

Bracknell host Boyne HIll 2nds this Saturday (1pm).

Wokingham 3rds (132) lost to Slough 4ths (258) by 126 runs.

In Division 6b, Tim Everitt claimed a stunning 7-56 to inspire Hurst 2nds (185-4) to a six-wicket success against Aldershot 3rds (182).

Kyle Bradley (63no) and Gareth Fry (59) completed the chase efficiently.

Akmal Sultan (7-23) was in brilliant form as Bracknell 2nds (132) beat Theale & Tilehurst 2nds (41) by 91 runs in Division 7a.

Stuart Tidbury (3-57) performed well for Eversley 3rds (78), but they were thumped by 154 runs at home to Newbury 2nds (232-5).

Wokingham 4ths (124-3) downed Maidenhead & Bray 3rds (121) by seven wickets, while Royal Ascot 4ths (263-5) beat Reading 4ths (210) by 53 runs in Division 8a. Naeem Mohammed made 101 not out.

Hazel Wilkinson scored 61 in Wokingham 5ths’ (210-8) draw with Wargrave 3rds (136-7).

Eversley 4ths conceded their Division 9a game against Kidmore End 3rds.