HURST returned to winning ways with a dominant nine-wicket success at home to Burnham 2nds in Division 2b of the Thames Valley League.

The visitors were restricted to 157-9 in their 30 overs, and fine innings by Usman Ijaz (60no) and Alex Kayser (56) steered Hurst to victory with 19 balls to spare.

Third-placed Hurst travel to Aldershot on Saturday (1pm).

In Division 6b, Hurst 2nds clung on for a draw against Purley on Thames 2nds.

George Wheeler (78) led the way for the visitors as they racked up 212-6 in their 52 overs, Pete Rackley also chipping in with 36. For Hurst, Alex O’Keefe (2-32) was the standout performer with the ball.

Wheeler (3-32) completed a fine all-round display by reducing Hurst to 25-2, but Roy Head (47) put his side’s innings back on track.

However, the middle order sub-sided against the wily slow bowling of Cyril Cox (4-26), and it required Ian Harvey (16no) and Phil Wiggins to hang on for the draw, Hurst closing on 152-9.