The Oaks won the toss and elected to bat on a green-looking wicket, but suffered a double early setback as Stuart Parsons and Michael Cowdell were dismissed cheaply.

Jack Turner and Rob Edmond began to rebuild the innings and added 56 for the third wicket until the former was caught on the boundary for a well crafted 43.

Simon Myles fell shortly after but this merely hastened a superb game-changing stand between Edmond and Stuart Hayter.

The pair added 132 as Edmonf recorded a brilliant century which included 13 boundaries and three maximums.

He was eventually stumped for 114 off 109 balls but Hayter’s enterprising unbeaten 63 helped the visitors close on an imposing 266-8 from their 52 overs.

The Oaks took the old ball and were quickly in the driving seat when Kew lost three early wickets to the bowling of Martin Wilson (3-22) and Paul Dewick.

Abishek Jhunjhunwala and captain Nathan Pearce steadied the innings but Wokingham’s decision to take the new ball proved inspired as Jono Fowler tore into the batting side.

He grabbed three quick wickets to leave Kew in disarray at 86-6, and later rounded off a magnificent 16 over spell with by dismissing Martyn Winslade to record figures of 4-31.

Having fallen to 139-9, Kew’s final pair of Michael Dunn and Arshad Baig bravely clung on to salvage a draw as their side reached 156-9 in their 48 overs.

The result meant Wokingham took 15 points from the game and Kew 7, which leaves Oaks eight points above their promotion rivals.

Captain Turner hailed his side’s performance though admitted his frustration at being unable to close out the win.

He said: “Although it was disappointing not to have taken the last wicket and gain an extra 10 points, I can’t fault the effort of my players.

“We were by far the better team all day and showed a solid performance in all three aspects of the game.

“Rob Edmond’s century was superb to watch and Stuart Hayter also batted extremely well. He deserves the rewards for some fantastic effort in training in the last few weeks.

“Kew battled hard and were determined not to give us the 25 points so some credit must go to them for that. Overall, my side continue to impress with their attitude and willingness to work hard for each other.” Oaks host third-placed Eversley on Saturday and Turner accepts it will be another tough test for his titlechasing side.

He admitted: “Unfortunately, the game at their ground was called off because of the rain but they’re in 3rd position and are on a very good run of form so we will need to be at our best again to have a chance of winning the game.” Hurst remain top of Division 3a after they thumped struggling Purley on Thames by 89 runs.

Greg Smith (101) made his second century in consecutive weeks, and aided by Lewis Smith (54), Hurst rattled up 233-6.

Spin king Phil Higgs then claimed another impressive haul as his 6-34 toppled the Potters for 144.

Second-placed Wokingham 2nds slipped to a heavy 111 run defeat against Wargrave.

The visitors racked up 231 all out, but Wokingham spun to defeat as Euan Woods’s 7-36 skittled them for just 120.

Wokingham 3rds scraped to a thrilling three wicket win against Farnham Common in Division 5a.

Visitors Farnham were dismissed for 176, but Oaks required an outstanding unbeaten 58 from Ashley Brinsford to get them over the line.

Hurst 2nds suffered a 10 wicket thrashing at the hands of Purley on Thames 2nds in the same division.

Hurst stumbled to 121-9 in their 52 overs, which proved inadequate as James Measham’s brilliant 88 not out led his side to a convincing win.

Wokingham 5ths match with Datchet Cranbourne 2nds in Division 9a was abandoned due to bad weather.