STUART Parsons blasted an unbeaten century to help take Wokingham closer to the Division One title, writes Phil Brennan.

The Oaks defeated Cookham Dean by four wickets on Saturday and, with other results also going their way, they are now 50 points clear at the top of the table with four games remaining.

And they have a great chance of moving even further ahead of second-placed Cove as they meet them at Sadlers End in a 50-50 game next Saturday (12.30pm start).

Battling to stay above the relegation zone, home side Cookham made a solid start, with openers Ben Millar and Chris Marrow putting on 54 for the first wicket before the former was bowled by Paul Dewick for 22.

South African Marrow was joined by Yash Rastogi and they took the total to 140, when Marrow was run out for 81 by Jack Wood.

Rastogi reached his half-century, only to be caught behind by Michael Bates off the bowling of Anthony Clapham and he then dismissed Christy Green next ball to leave the hosts 181-4.

Bates ran out Simret Mangat for nine, but Tom Fray (34no) and Manish Chaudhary (4no) stayed there until the end, Cookham finishing on 213-5 off their 52overs.

Clapham took 2-35 off nine overs and Dewick 1-49 off 13.

In reply, Wokingham posted 104 before losing their first wicket, Stuart Hayter trapped lbw for 48.

Dan Housego was dismissed the same way, having made 17 with the total on 134, and two further wickets went down five runs later, Bates for a first-ball duck and Simon Myles for 10.

With 191 on the board, Jacob Clark was bowled for 10, but that was the last wicket to fall.

Parsons remained unbeaten on 100 off 141 balls, while Clapham was left on14 as the Oaks sealed victory at 214-6 with three balls to spare.

In Division 2a, Eversley beat Bagshot by 99 runs thanks to an excellent all-round display from Andrew Niblett.

The South African scored 101 and received assistance from James Magowan (51) and Tom Howarth (57no) to help Eversley declare on 290-3 off 44.3 overs.

Michael Davis (52) top scored for Bagshot but they fell to 191 all out as Nibblett completed his man-of-the-match display by taking 6-44.

Eversley host Harefield 2nds this Saturday (12.30pm).

Division 2b saw Royal Ascot (150 all out) draw at home to Hurst (125-7). James Gamble (62) led the way for the home side before Kevin May (4-24) helped restrict the visitors, Usman Ijaz (35) top scoring.

Royal Ascot host Thatcham Town on Saturday (12.30pm), while Hurst are at home to Beaconsfield.

Jack Fisher (41no) and Simon Myles (66no) secured a six-wicket victory for Wokingham 2nds as they chased down 154 set by visitors and bottom-of-the-table Newbury (154) in Division 3a.

Earlier, Martin Walker (35) had top scored for Newbury as Toby Barker (6-33) excelled with the ball.

In Division 4a, basement boys Eversley 2nds lost to High Wycombe 3rds.

Sajid Zaib (104no) and Neil Weston (62) helped Wycombe declare on 200-4 from 39 overs and the Boars were then skittled for just 87.

Meanwhile Royal Ascot 2nds posted 158-8 – Murray Barter (55no) top scoring – but they were thrashed by nine wickets at top-of-the-table NPL (160-1).

A pair of unbeaten half centuries from Tom Gallyer (85no) and James Churchman (62no) saw NPL comfortably home.

In Division 5b, there was a low-scoring thriller as Wokingham 3rds (94 all out) lost by one wicket to Bracknell (100-9).

After taking (5-36) Imran Raja then top scored with 30 to help Bracknell’s chase, and they just got over the line.

Bracknell visit Aldershot 2nds on Saturday (12.30pm).

Jake White snaffled 5-52, but it was not enough for Hurst 2nds (149 all out) who agonisingly lost by one wicket to Cove 3rds (153-9).

Kelvin Baillie (51) top scored for Hurst in the first innings as Richard Swannell took an impressive (8-37) for Cove.

Rob Thompson hit 118 in a total of 230-4 as Eversley 3rds beat Thatcham Town 3rds by 36 runs in Division 7a.

Joe Harwood (75) top scored for Thatcham, but terrific figures from Colin Webb (7-78 off 17 overs) ensured they were bowled out for 194.

Wokingham 4ths (181-8) beat Bracknell 2nds (59) thanks to a fine Glyn Clements (53) knock and some incisive spells from Duncan Atkins (5-15) and Alex Pearce (4-18).

In Division 9a, Eversley 4ths forfeited their match against Newbury 3rds.

Meanwhile, Kidmore End 3rds (37 all out) were well beaten by Wokingham 5ths (41-1).

Buddy Dias (4-8) starred with the ball, before Toqir Khalid (22no) top scored in a comfortable chase to see Wokingham move into the top spot.