WOKINGHAM 3rds took a huge step towards winning the Division 5b title after edging to a dramatic two-run victory in their top-of-the-table clash at home to Wargrave 2nds, writes Richard Ashton.

The home side started well after winning the toss, with openers Rahul Patel and Craig Rintoul (51) putting on 88 before the latter fell to Hareesh Reddy.

Patel eventually fell for 56, but useful contributions throughout the remainder of the innings enabled the Oaks to post 195-9 from their 45 overs.

Wargrave appeared well set on 120-2 off the back of good knocks from opener Dan Ormrod (55) and Kieran Lall (43), but they failed to maintain their momentum and could eventually only reach 193-9.

Bracknell moved up to second on the back of a five-wicket victory at home to Eversley 2nds.

Peter Henly took 4-12 and received useful support from Junaid Ashiq (2-14), Majid Sherif (2-26) and Akmal Sultan (2-32) as the Boars were knocked over for 102, and with Taz Shah continuing his great form with 44, the hosts reached 103-5 in 26 overs.

Bracknell visit Wargrave 2nds in what could be a promotion-defining encounter on Saturday.

Skipper Tom Howorth scored his maiden century for Eversley, but they lost a high-scoring Division 2a clash at home to Amersham 2nds by 74 runs.

Stuart Lipo took 3-77 for the Boars, but with opener Adam Ali blasting 147, the visitors racked up a massive 381 in their 50 overs.

Eversley slipped to 43-3 in reply, but Jason Soames (70) and Howorth (128) put on 200 for the fourth wicket.

However, the hosts were always behind the rate, and they were eventually bowled out for 307 with three balls remaining.

Eversley visit Windsor this coming Saturday (12.30pm).

Wokingham 2nds moved to within a point of safety in Division 2b after they beat Finchampstead 2nds by 25 runs.

Jack Fisher proved to be the Oaks hero, with a fine all-round display which began with him taking 3-42 in the Finch total of 241-8, Russell Lane top scoring with 69.

Andy Lazenbury took 3-55 in reply, but Fisher’s wonderful unbeaten 99 steered Wokingham to 243-5 with 16 balls to spare.

Royal Ascot dropped to eighth and a solitary point above Wokingham despite pushing leaders High Wycombe 2nds hard in a nine-run defeat.

Simon Janes top scored with 71 at the table-toppers posted 248-6, and Ascot could only reach 239-9 in reply.

Royal Ascot are at home to Aldershot on Saturday.

Hurst are level on points with Ascot after they lost by 25 runs at Beaconsfield.

The home side totalled 255, but despite 44 from Phil Higgs, Hurst could only reach 230-8 in the chase, former Berkshire off spinner Harry Stephens taking 4-27.

Hurst are at home to Wargrave this Saturday.

Division 4a champions Binfield cruised to a nine-wicket victory at Theale & Tilehurst.

Tom Andrews (4-8 from eight overs) again led the way, with useful support from Wynand Lamprecht (2-0), Matt Hayman (2-19) and Nathan Warwick (2-26) helping dismiss the hosts for just 76.

Binfield – who visit relegation-threatened Henley 3rds on Saturday – then raced to 78-1 in just 12.1 overs.

Rock bottom Royal Ascot 2nds look set for the drop after falling to a 25-run reverse at White Waltham.

Simon Jessup top scored with 66 as the home side posted 204-5 in their 45 overs, and despite Josh Jayasingh’s 47 not out, Ascot could only reply with 180-6 as Richard West claimed 3-21.

Binfield 2nds look set for promotion from Division 6b after they cruised to an eight-wicket victory at home to Burnham 4ths.

The visitors were restricted to 173-9 in their 45 overs, and Steve Jeffrey (90no) and Tim Vines (46) wasted no time in ushering Binfield to 174-2 in only 25.2 overs.

Tom Hibbs (45) and Phil Wiggins (3-31) performed admirably for Hurst 2nds (117), but they lost to Theale & Tilehurst 2nds (121-3) by seven wickets.

Rob Dimmack took 4-31 to do the bulk of the damage for T&T.

Royal Ascot 3rds secured their Division 7a safety and relegated Eversley 3rds by beating their rivals by 88 runs.

Mike Wyatt (68) and John Dunnett (48) led the way as Ascot amassed 206-4, and the Boars never got going as they slumped to 118 all out, Marc Ames taking 4-8.

Rohan Rohan made a brilliant 83 as Wokingham 4ths (174) shocked leaders White Waltham 2nds (172-7) by two runs.

Bracknell 2nds climbed to second in Division 8a after they beat Bradfield 2nds by 22 runs.

Karthik Ramanujam top scored with 66 as Bracknell scored 185-9 in their 40 overs, and tight bowling throughout meant the hosts could only make it to 163-5 in reply.

Eversley 4ths remain in Division 9a promotion contention after picking up 20 points when Windsor 3rds could not raise a side.