CROWTHORNE & Crown Wood remain bottom of the Berkshire, Chilterns and Mid Bucks Championship Division after falling to a 42-run defeat at home to Welford Park, writes Richard Ashton.

Jake McManus (74) held the Park innings together as they were bowled out for 173, Jeff Cluett (4-37) and the evergreen Ravi Godbole (3-27) impressing with the ball.

However, Crowthorne’s batting shortcomings again came to the surface as Alex Hutchinson (3-18), James Bowlby (3-29) and Naresh Konakandla (3-32) helped dismiss the hosts for 131.

Johnny Wright’s unbeaten half century helped leaders Harpsden edge past Ley Hill by three wickets.

Felix Chambelain (47) and Stephen Walters (41) led Ley Hill to 159 as Ed Birkett took 3-26, and Wright (51no) guided his side to victory.

A wonderful knock from Sohail Arshad proved crucial in second-placed West Reading’s five-wicket triumph at home to Ruislip Victoria.

Ehtsham Iqbal (4-28) had the visitors in all sorts of trouble until Bilal Chowdhry (43) and No. 10 Shair Khan (55no) ensured they reached 200.

However, Arshad (98) got almost half the runs as Wests cruised home.

Cedric Ayres (4-33) and Liam Cross (3-35) ripped through the Braywood (87) top order as Chalfont St Giles (88-3) secured a comfortable seven-wicket success.

Simon Lancaster (50no) made his second consecutive half century in the run chase.

Penn & Tylers Green walloped Peppard Stoke Row by 124 runs.

Raunak Biswas (72) and John Cockroft (67) set the game up for Penn before an astonishing innings of 84 not out from just 37 balls by Johnny Hughes helped his side declare on 272-5 after 49 overs – the last 92 runs coming from only 39 deliveries.

Cockcroft (4-41) struck twice in his first over to leave PSR 1-2, and despite 17-year-old George Lee (51) recording his maiden first-team 50, the visitors were bowled out for 148.

l IN the Berkshire League Premier Division, Andy Johnson (44) top scored for rock bottom Mortimer West End (166-8), but they were beaten by three wickets by second-placed Checkendon (169-7).

Shiva Aruna made 66 for Checks, who also had Jim Warren (43) and Vikas Chib (3-41) to thank for their victory.

Captain Nick Kingston took 4-37 for West End, but it was not enough.

Ollie Carrier made a magnificent 120 and Stephen Haines chipped in with 46 as Goring on Thames (245-4) had by far the better of their draw with Farley Hill (128-9).

Ross Ditchburn scored 63 for the visitors, while Parvesh Dabra snared 3-29 for Goring.

Woodley just had the better of a draw in an incredible game with Ibis Mapledurham.

Captain Fasul Nufail (46), Rizmy Nilamdeen (43) and Shamil Nilamdeen (42) fired Woodley to 189-8, but Peter Weston’s 78 had Ibis on course for victory.

However, Nilamdeen took 3-21 to rock the boat, and Mapledurham could only close on 188-7.

Berkshire County Sports’ home game with leaders Woodcote was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Division One table-toppers Shinfield dominated their draw at home to West Reading 2nds.

Amit Rawal (88) and skipper Muhammed Hafeez (55) fired their side to 301-7, and despite Anuraag Shukla’s 3-30, Wests were able to survive on 171-9.

A superb unbeaten 100 from Robin Thompson, allied to Shiva Nagam’s 73 not out from just 45 balls – which included five 6s – helped Twyford & Ruscombe (232-4) gain a winning draw against Waltham St Lawrence (208-8).

Chris Waghorn (82) and Ravi Sainani (50) both made half centuries for Saints.

Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2nds (173-7) beat Woodley 2nds (150) by 23 runs.

Ben Jiggins (5-30) was the Stratfield Turgis (83-5) matchwinner as they beat Hawley (82) by five wickets.

Don Townsin’s 61 secured Peppard Stoke Row 2nds (181-5) a winning draw against Earley (138-9).

In Division Two, second-placed West Reading 3rds picked up a narrow two-wicket win in their top-of-the-table clash at home to Shinfield 2nds.

Captain Kiran Alluri made 50 for Shinfield, but fine displays from Adeel Rafique (4-20) and Fahad Raja (4-27) saw them skittled for 127.

Wests did not have it all their own way in reply, but squeezed home in 32.4 overs.

Welford Park 2nds (269-6) opener Manu Chadha (154) made the highest league score for his side as they hammered Purley on Thames 3rds (113) by 156 runs, Tom Tempest also taking 4-22 for Welford.

Ashley Gander (53no from 33 balls and 5-12) produced a man-of-the-match performance to help Warfield (202-6) beat Peppard Stoke Row 3rds (128) by 74 runs.

Adam Battison’s 56 helped Sandhurst 2nds (198-7) beat Wokingham 6ths (176-5) by 22 runs.

Captain Simon Herrington (53) and Prasad Kulkarni (50no) both batted well for the Oaks.

Anthony Stott was 71 not out for Knowl Hill (162-9), but they lost by 49 runs to Sulhamstead 3rds (211-6).

Zeeshan Afridi’s 5-23 and 52 not out inspired Falkland Development (160-8) to a tense two-wicket success against Binfield 3rds (159) in Division Three.

Jimmy George (55) was Mortimer’s (124) star as they beat hosts Crowthorne & Crown Wood 3rds (46) by 78 runs. Craig North also took 5-21 for Mortimer.

Waltham St Lawrence 2nds conceded their game against West Reading 4ths, while the game between Shinfield 3rds and Mortimer West End 2nds was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a wet pitch.

l EMMBROOK & Bearwood (168-8) remain bottom of the Chilterns League Premier Division after losing by five wickets to Littlewick Green (170-5).

In Division Three, Emmbrook & Bearwood 2nds (185) lost to Hurley 2nds (189-5) by five wickets and are also at the foot of the table.