SONNING secured a second straight Division 4a win of the season after overcoming Bracknell by 65 runs on the Average Run Rate (ARR) method, writes Richard Ashton.

Australian Aaron Crofts (86) and captain Andrew Niblett (58) powered the visitors to an imposing 332-6 in their 45 overs, before a shower left Bracknell needing 285 in 37 overs.

Opener Muhammad Zile (54) and Karthik Ramanujam (50) did their best in reply, but the hosts were always behind the rate and ended on 219-7.

Sonning host Bagshot 2nds this coming Saturday.

Fine knocks from Rahul Bharti (52) and Hamish Scott (48no) lifted Reading 2nds out of a hole as they edged past Wokingham 3rds by 18 runs.

Having fallen to 97-5, the pair put on 95 for the sixth wicket as Reading ended on 213-8.

Bharti (3-30) then starred with the ball as the Oaks were dismissed for 195.

Ram Sankaran’s 6-32 fired Theale & Tilehurst (149-4) to a comfortable six-wicket success at North Maidenhead 2nds (147).

Theale & Tilehurst visit Reading 2nds on Saturday.

Martin Smith took 4-13 to help Wargrave 2nds (186-9) beat Newbury (154) by 32 runs.

Wargrave suffered a second straight Division One defeat as they went down by 52 runs at home to Gerrards Cross.

Jack Clark (3-26) was the pick of the attack as the visitors were kept to 240-8 in their 50 overs, but aside from Ashera Mahavidanalage (42 from 40 balls), Wargrave could not really get going and were ultimately bowled out for 188.

Wargrave visit High Wycombe 2nds on Saturday.

Kidmore End collapsed to 45-4 before useful knocks from skipper James Frost (58no), Zac Leonard (52) and Oscar Fountain (42) led them to 223-9, only for the rain to force an abandonment against Chesham 2nds in Division 2a.

Kidmore End are at home to Marlow on Saturday.

In Division 2b, Reading (182-9) were thumped by nine wickets by Henley 2nds (183-1), Mikey Williams top scoring with an unbeaten 81 in the run chase.

Reading visit Fleet on Saturday.

Ruki Soza (101no) and Max Carroll (90) starred for Hurst (262-8) as they beat Bagshot (205) by 57 runs.

Spinner Phil Higgs took 5-32 for the hosts, who visit Henley 2nds this Saturday.

Andy Jackson’s 47 helped Purley-on-Thames (196) to a second straight Division 3a victory as they downed Farnham Royal (170) by 26 runs, Sam Harlowe taking 4-42 for the Potters.

Purley-on-Thames host Slough 3rds on Saturday.

Steve Belcher’s 58 was not enough to prevent Sulhamstead (155) from being beaten by six wickets by Boyne Hill 2nds (158-4).

Sulhamstead travel to Falkland 2nds this Saturday.

In Division 6b, Robert Clarke (68) and Jimmy Coggs (5-28) were the stars of the show for Purley-on-Thames 2nds (219-8) in their 65-run success against Bradfield (154).

Bradfield host Fleet 2nds this Saturday.

Hurst 2nds (108-1 after 17.4 overs) appeared set for a comfortable win against Sonning 2nds (150), only for the rain to curtail their run chase and force an abandonment.

Rehaan Samdani (4-19) and Chris Aldred (67) impressed for Sulhamstead 3rds (152-4) in their six-wicket triumph against Reading 3rds (148).

Mark Mason’s 7-31 followed by an unbeaten 80 from opener Micky Mehta proved enough for Theale & Tilehurst 2nds (186-5) in their five-wicket victory against Fleet 2nds.

In Division 7a, Wargrave 3rds (203-8) won a thriller against Wokingham 4ths (202-9) by two wickets, while Kidmore End 2nds (52-0) had their game with Slough 5ths (225-5) washed out.

Conrad Hall (4-41) and Mark Baker (74no) were in top form for Bradfield 2nds (134-0) as they thrashed Thatcham Town 3rds (133) by 10 wickets in Division 8a.

Finchampstead 5ths’ game against Theale & Tilehurst 3rds (191-4) was abandoned due to rain.

Sonning 3rds (65) were walloped by 203 runs by Stoke Green 4ths (268) in Division 9a, but Oliver Newton’s 4-13 helped Wargrave 4ths (152-4) past Slough 6ths (151) by six wickets.

Kidmore End 3rds conceded their game with Maidenhead & Bray 4ths.