HURST moved up to fourth in Division 2b after they pulled off a nerve-jangling three-wicket win at Sonning, writes Richard Ashton.

The hosts made a poor start as openers Peter Dean and Duncan Parr (both four) fell to Andrew Cording and Floyd Na Nagara respectively.

In-form Jason Pennisi was also dismissed cheaply by Cording (2-32), while Na Nagara (4-41) ran through the middle order.

A useful ninth-wicket stand between Indeveer Sahota (41) and Raja Rafaqat (40no) helped, but with Alex Kayser ending with 3-52 from 15 overs, Sonning were dismissed for 174.

Kayser (30) and Sam Hawkes gave Hurst a solid platform, before both fell to Zahid Mohammed (2-38 off 18.5 overs).

With fellow spinner Pennisi (4-99 off 17) also bowling a marathon spell, the basement boys put themselves in with a chance for victory, only for a series of dropped catches to allow Usman Ijaz to make an unbeaten 50 and steer his side to victory.

Hurst host High Wycombe in the last of the first round of fixtures on Saturday (1pm).

A sensational eight-wicket haul by Andy Murray was not enough for Royal Ascot, who dropped to seventh following their 91-run defeat to Slough 2nds.

Murray (8-63) was in tremendous form as the visitors dismissed their opponents for 184, but only Andy English (34) really got going in the reply as Ascot were bowled out for 93. Naveed Akhtar (5-37) and Waqar Ali Shah (5-30) were the destroyers-in-chief for the home side.

Royal Ascot host Aldershot on Saturday (1pm).

A brilliant century by player-coach Dan Housego inspired Division One leaders Wokingham to a superb six-wicket success at Gerrards Cross.

Jacob Clark (4-49) and Anthony Clapham (3-77) were the pick of the Oaks attack, but a majestic 168 not out from Dan Hampton took the home side to a competitive 271.

Wokingham were reduced to 36-2, but an excellent 115-run stand between Housego and youngster Archie Carter (60) put them in a better position.

Michael Bates added 51 from just 46 balls to keep the Oaks on track, and Housego (113no) ensured they claimed a fourth straight victory.

Wokingham welcome Falkland to Sadlers End on Saturday (1pm).

In Division 3a, Wokingham 2nds overcame Cove 2nds by four wickets.

Toby Barker (5-46) was the standout performer with the ball for the Oaks, who dismissed Cove for 238.

The hosts slipped to 32-2 in reply, but fine innings’ from Jack Fisher (79) and Ben Myles (66) helped break the back of the run chase and their side got home with 20 balls to spare.

In Division 4a, Jason Carr took 5-57 for Royal Ascot 2nds, but they were thumped by 132 runs at home to Burnham 3rds.

Shoiab Baig top scored with 74 as the visitors racked up an impressive 267-9 before declaring after 51.4 overs.

Dan Corsini (61) provided the only real resistance for Ascot, who were bundled out for 135 in reply.

Bracknell dropped back into the Division 5b relegation zone following their four-wicket defeat at home to Falkland 3rds.

Syed Hussain top scored with an unbeaten 66 for the hosts, while there were also useful contributions from Richard Cooper (37), Anushka Jayamanne (34) and opener Ian Shaw in Bracknell’s total of 234-7.

Peter Henly bowled well to take 5-73 in 16 overs for the hosts, but an excellent innings of 89 from Santosh Mudaliar, aided by some cameos from the middle order, fired Falkland to victory with two overs in hand.

Bracknell travel to Slough 4ths this coming Saturday (1pm).

Cameron Gillespie enjoyed a dream day with bat and ball as his stunning all-round performance inspired Wokingham 3rds to a 94-run win against Maidenhead & Bray 2nds.

Gillespie scored more than half his side’s runs as he cracked a brilliant 115 out of 197, and he then wreaked havoc with the ball, claiming 7-43 as Maids were routed for 103.

Martin Wilson chipped in with figures of 3-50.

Royal Ascot 3rds were edged out by two wickets at Cove 3rds in Division 6b.

Naeem Mohammed (74) and Gary Clarke (36) were the principle run-getters for the hosts, who totalled 170-9 in their 52 overs.

Tim Howson (3-68) helped give Ascot their chances as the visitors were reduced to 25-2 and later 135-6, but George Roylance’s 47 proved decisive in ensuring Cove reached their target in 42 overs.

Second-bottom Wokingham 4ths thrashed Newbury 2nds by 115 runs to record their second Division 7a victory of the season.

John Barker (56) and Rich Runham (39no) batted well to fire the Oaks to a competitive 209-6, and Hugh Doyle (6-20) then produced a match-winning spell to skittle Newbury for just 92.

Bracknell 2nds (102) were thumped by 101 runs at Thatcham Town 3rds (233-8).

Royal Ascot 4ths remain in third place in Division 8a after they dominated a draw at home to Sonning 3rds.

Nino Trapani top scored with an unbeaten 53 as the home side amassed 235-7, Mark Wiggett (47) and Joshua Jayasingh (42) the other notable performers for Ascot.

Wazir Khan (51) and Paul Shumake (46) put on 90 for the opening wicket for Sonning, but they received little support in the face of some fine bowling from Nigel Greenall (4-37) and eventually could only reach 137-6 from 31 overs before rain brought an abrupt end to proceedings.

Wokingham 5ths moved into the Division 9a promotion places after picking up 25 points due to opponents Thatcham Town 4ths conceding their game.