Although the side ultimately slipped to a 64 run defeat, the seven points they picked up - allied to second bottom Sonning only claiming 20 in their clash with Finchampstead 3rds - means the team can no longer be dragged into the relegation zone.

Bracknell won the toss and asked the hosts to bat first at Grasmere Road, but their bowlers found the going tough as Arshad Diliwar (92) played his shots on a superb track for batting.

He was well supported by Andy Carter, who made a useful unbeaten 60, as Cove racked up a formidable 281-4 before declaring at the end of the 44th over.

Bracknell fought hard in their reply but were eventually dismissed for 217 in the 40th over.

The team remains seventh in the table and host Sonning 2nds on Saturday.

Bracknell 2nds missed a glorious chance to guarantee promotion from Division 9b as they fell to an 88 run reverse at home to Teddington Town 3rds.

Openers Deepak Kapoor (61) and Ralph Meyer (36) put the visitors in command in the early stages after they chose to bat, but Bracknell hit back in superb fashion to dismiss Teddington for 164.

However they then suffered a disastrous batting collapse in the face of a fine spell from Ali Hughes (5-24) and were decimated for just 76.

The defeat means Teddington close the gap on Bracknell to just five points, although they have played one game more.

Bracknell 2nds travel to Chiswick & Latimer 4ths on Saturday.