FINCHAMPSTEAD 3rds’ Division 3a promotion hopes suffered a blow as they lost by 104 runs at Purley on Thames, writes Richard Ashton.

Sam Taylor recorded fine figures of 7-72, but Patrick Allen’s 93 guided the Potters to 203 and that proved too many for Finch, who were shot out for only 99.

A wonderful spell from John Macdonald (6-63) and useful knocks from captain Craig Beales (55no) and Cameron Spence (52) earned Wokingham 2nds (212-4) a six-wicket win at leaders Wargrave (210).

A superb spell by Jacob Clark (6-27) fired Division One table-toppers Wokingham to a fifth straight win, the Oaks overcoming Falkland by six wickets.

Paul McCraw took 3-6 as the visitors were skittled for 93, and Archie Carter’s unbeaten 40 took Wokingham to 95-4 in 34.2 overs.

Wokingham host Henley 2nds on Saturday (1pm).

Andrew Nibblett (63) continued his fine form for Eversley (207-6), but they were beaten by three wickets at Kew (210-7), Rezaul Roni (3-37) the pick of the Boars’ attack.

Eversley visit Hayes this coming Saturday (1pm).

Usman Ijaz took 3-50 to help third-placed Hurst (207-8) seal a dramatic final-ball two-wicket victory at High Wycombe 2nds (205-7) in Division 2b.

Hurst are at home to Yateley this coming Saturday (1pm).

Jack Kendall (59) and James Wensley (56) set Royal Ascot up to gain the better of their draw at home to Aldershot.

The home side were bowled out for 225, but a fine spell from Kevin May (5-50) ensured Aldershot could only scramble to 192-9 in reply.

Royal Ascot host Beaconsfield on Saturday (1pm).

In Division 4b, Byron Hickman top scored with 75, but Eversley 2nds ((197) lost by 95 runs to Slough 3rds (292-7 declared off 48 overs).

George Payne (52) and Gary Clarke (49) led the way for Royal Ascot 2nds (201-6), but they were frustrated by High Wycombe 3rds (137-9) in a draw, Saeed Ahmed taking 5-41 from 16 overs for Ascot.

Bracknell’s (245) miserable Division 5b season continued as they lost by eight wickets to Slough 4ths (246-2).

Bracknell host Chiswick & Whitton 2nds – the only team below them in the table – on Saturday (1pm).

Wokingham 3rds were forced to hang on for a draw at home to Wargrave 2nds.

Cameron Gillespie (3-92)was the pick of the Oaks’ attack as they were put around the park, conceding 303-8 before the home side declared after 49 overs.

Wokingham battled valiantly, though, and Harry Staples’ knock of 50 did much to guide them to safety on 184-7.

In Division 6b, rock bottom Royal Ascot 3rds (183-9) lost by six wickets to Aldershot 3rds (187-4), while Hurst 2nds (95) were beaten by five wickets at Sonning 2nds (98-5).

Eversley 3rds (187-6) held on for a draw in their Division 7b game at North Maidenhead 3rds (286-7 declared off 41 overs).

Bracknell 2nds (81) collapsed to an eight-wicket defeat to Kidmore End 2nds (83-2) after Azhar Udeen ripped through their batting line-up with figures of 7-30.

Wokingham 4ths (106) were edged out by two wickets at Theale & Tilehurst 2nds (110-8) in a low-socring thriller.

John Dunnett (45) was the only Royal Ascot 4ths player (86) to make double figures in their four-wicket defeat to Theale & Tilehurst 3rds. Rob Phillips took 3-22 for Ascot.

A stunning unbeaten innings of 52 from youngster Atharva Patil – who came in at number nine – snatched a dramatic one-wicket win for Wokingham 5ths (156-9) against Newbury 3rds (155) in Division 9a.

Mark James earlier took 5-38 for the Oaks, with Raj Acharya claiming 3-58.