WOKINGHAM CC returned to winning ways with an emphatic nine-wicket home victory over Berkshire rivals Burnham on Saturday, writes Anthony Smith.

The Oaks suffered their first defeat of the Home Counties Premier League Division Two season the previous weekend when they went down to Dinton by 16 runs.

But they bounced back in style with a dominant performance against Burnham at Sadlers End, led by some quality batting from Stuart Parsons and a superb all-round display from James Bird.

Bird took 4-31 from six overs with the ball as Burnham reached 201-8 from their 50 overs.

He then enjoyed a match-winning 166-run opening partnership with Parsons before departing for 77 as the Oaks coasted home on 205-1 in the 43rd over, with Parsons ending unbeaten on 91.

Wokingham skipper Stuart Hayter won the toss and his decision to field paid off as the hosts took regular wickets from the start.

Burnham opener Rizwan Nadeem hit a useful 44 from 47 balls before he was caught by Parsons off the bowling of Simon Myles, with the visitors 67-2.

Several Burnham batsmen then got starts without managing to convert any into a big score.

Adnan Shabbir (33), Adnan Malik (25) and Faisal Choudhary (21no) all chipped in, but Wokingham benefitted from some excellent bowling when it mattered led by the brilliant Bird who was well supported by Myles, with 2-18 from 10 overs, and Jacob Clark (2-19).

Wokingham’s Parsons and Bird then showed Burnham how to build a partnership with an outstanding opening stand.

Bird’s 77 came off 110 balls and included seven boundaries before he was bowled by Farhaan Habib Khan (1-39).

And Parsons remained unbeaten at the other end on 91 from 124 balls including five fours as Burnham’s attack toiled.

It was left to Parsons and Dan Housego (16no) to ease the Oaks over the winning line after the first ball of the 43rd over for their third victory from five league matches.

Wokingham, who are sixth in the table, travel to joint leaders Great & Little Tew this Saturday.

Wokingham 2nds fell just short of a first win in Thames Valley League Division 2b after a 16-run defeat at Aldershot.

Aldershot were put into bat and were bowled out for 158 in the 44th over, with Keelan Shoulders (3-7) doing the damage.

But the visitors were skittled out for 142 in reply in the 44th over to leave them one place above the bottom of the table.

Faisal Abbas was the difference-maker for Aldershot, top scoring with 33 before taking 5-19 to help his side to victory.

Wokingham 3rds hammered Thatcham Town 2nds by 218 runs to climb up to third in the Division 5b table.

The visitors amassed an imposing 335-6 from 45 overs thanks to centuries from Manpreet Singh (112) and Jack Turner (100) aided by 45 from Gary Flemming.

Thatcham were then shot out for 117 in the 29th over in reply with Simon Lewis (31) top scoring and David Healey (3-26) the pick of the Wokingham attack.

Wokingham 4ths beat Newbury 2nds by three wickets at home in Division 7a.

Newbury made 151-7 from their 45 overs led by Mike Beaumont (47) and Simon Digweed (32).

But it wasn’t enough as Wokingham reached 152-7 in the 43rd over thanks to some vital runs from Diptesh Patel (32no) and Dersh Patel (29).

Wokingham 5ths secured a seven-wicket win at Newbury 3rds in Division 9a.

Newbury were restricted to 126-9 from 40 overs with Mark James taking 3-13.

Toqir Khalid then hit 42 while Ranjeet Sidhu and Rohan Rohan both made 26 to see Wokingham home on 127-3 in the 32nd over.