TABLE-TOPPING Binfield kept their Chilterns League Division One title hopes alive with a 71-run victory at home to Pinkneys Green on Saturday, writes Richard Ashton.

The home side chose to bat and were rewarded with a 136-run opening stand as Sean Ennis (78) and Chris Morgan (40) made hay.

They were both dismissed by Saleem Ahmed, who also accounted for Steve Carson as Binfield wobbled a little on 158-3.

However, Adam Marshall (44) and Tom Andrews (49) put on 75 for the fourth wicket, and despite the lower order rarely contributing, captain Mike Staves was able to declare on 286-8 after 50 overs.

Matt Hayman (2-17) and Andrews (2-49) then made early inroads for Binfield, while Staves also trapped Zahir Razaq lbw.

Jags Dhillon (80) and Wasim Ahmed (30) mounted something of a recovery until the latter was caught off the bowling of Jack Collett.

Tanveer Butt (43) kept Pinkneys in the game, but he was bowled by Staves and Andrews returned to dismiss Dhillon.

Ardeel Akhtar made 34 batting at number nine, but Staves finished with 5-49 as Pinkneys Green were bowled out for 215.

In Division Two, Binfield 2nds eased to a seven-wicket success at Pinkneys Green 2nds.

James Wright (3-5), Scott Butler (2-28), Kamal Gupta (2-28) and Rupert Warren (2-35) did the damage as the home side were bowled out for 161, Mohammed Ilyas top scoring with 56.

Binfield lost two early wickets, but fine innings from Jason Lunnon (55) and Alastair Higginson (74no) guided them to victory in 35 overs.

Binfield won an absolute classic by three wickets in their biennial fixture against the MCC on Sunday.

Opener Ben Millar made a majestic 102 for the MCC, and with the exception of Ian Goddard (2-9), the home side’s attack went round the park before the MCC declared on 296-5 after 46 overs.

However, superb innings from Mikey Reid (67), Steve Carson (58) and Michael Carson (52) kept the hosts in the game during their epic chase.

And from the final ball of the contest, Jackson (24no) scored a single to win it, Binfield ending on 300-7.