HURST dropped to seventh in Division 2b after they lost by 72 runs at home to Finchampstead 2nds, writes Richard Ashton.

Usman Ijaz took 5-60 as Finches were bowled out for 213, youngster Mac Keast top scoring with 41.

Hurst’s reply never got going, and they were eventually bowled out for 141 as Asim Hussain (4-50) and Sam Taylor (3-30) worked their way through the hosts’ batting line-up.

Finchampstead 2nds host Royal Ascot this Saturday, while Hurst do not have a game this week.

James Magowan struck his maiden Eversley century as they hammered Chesham 2nds by 195 runs in Division 2a.

Magowan (133) and Tom Howorth (90) led the way as the Boars racked up 332-5 before declaring in the 46th over, and Joe Howorth (3-37) was then on song with the ball as second-bottom Chesham were knocked over for 137.

Eversley travel to Maidenhead & Bray on Saturday.

Tom Andrews (3-24) again impressed with the ball as Binfield’s (89-0) relentless march towards the Division 4a title continued with a 10-wicket demolition of Bagshot 2nds (85).

Binfield visit Sulhamstead on Saturday.

Royal Ascot 2nds slipped to the foot of the table after suffering a 185-run pummelling at home to Henley 3rds.

Myles Trainor took 3-72, but Adam Lubbock’s 94 and Ashley Hayden’s 49 helped Henley post 288-8 in their 52 overs before Ascot were dismissed for 103.

Ehtesham Sarwar (5-48) and Majid Sherif (4-16) ripped through the Falkland 3rds (100) batting line-up before Mohammad Shabir’s unbeaten 53 helped Bracknell (101-1) ease to a nine-wicket victory in Division 5b.

Bracknell travel to Boyne Hill 3rds this coming Saturday.

Eversley 2nds scraped to a two-wicket victory at Thatcham Town 2nds.

Roni Rezaul (5-14) and Matt Reardon-Brown (3-14) combined to bowl Thatcham out for 132, and Matt Martin’s 63 inspired the Boars to reach their target in 38 overs.

A batting collapse cost Binfield 2nds dearly as they lost by 12 runs to Cove 3rds in Division 6b.

Ian Goddard bagged 3-32 as Cove were bowled out for 180, and with Paul Edgington (45) in form, Binfield were well on top at 92-1.

However, his departure precipitated a clattering of wickets, and Binfield were eventually bowled out for 168.

Hurst 2nds endured a 160-run battering at Finchampstead 4ths.

Ben Simmons (94), Khartik Khanti (79no) and Gareth Biggs (76) all made half centuries as Finches declared on 332-4 after 47 overs, and Liam Bulteel’s 4-16 then helped dismiss Hurst for 172.

Eversley 3rds remain bottom of Division 7a despite pushing Yateley 2nds close in a 15-run reverse.

Stuart Tidbury claimed 3-74 as Yateley declared on 292-8 from their 50 overs, but despite Jamie Tidbury’s excellent 81 off 69 balls, the Boars could only reach 277 in reply.

Royal Ascot 3rds (190-8) beat Theale & Tilehurst 3rds (189-9) by two wickets, while Bracknell 2nds (219-6) overcame Royal Ascot 4ths (89) by 130 runs in Division 8a.

Eversley 4ths remain third in Division 9a after they took 20 points when Thatcham Town 4ths conceded their game.