FINCHAMPSTEAD 3rds dropped to fifth place in Division 3a after slipping to a 37-run home defeat against Sulhamstead, writes Richard Ashton.

Marc Thompson (62), Jamie Seward (55) and Al MacEwan (41) were all among the runs as Sully posted 198-7, Liam Bulteel the pick of the Finch attack with 4-46.

Scott Osler (44) and Tom Wroot (40) led the hosts' reply, but Craig Palmer (3-21) and Thompson (3-22) proved too good with the ball as Finchampstead were bowled out for 161.

Binfield secured back-to-back promotions with four games to spare after thrashing Falkland 2nds by 112 runs.

Duncan Wessels top scored with 59 as Binfield posted 179-9, and with Tom Andrews (5-21) and Jack Collett (3-22) in top form with the ball, the visitors skittled their opponents for just 67.

Binfield host Finchampstead 3rds this coming Saturday.

Second-placed Wokingham 2nds moved a step closer to promotion following their 67-run triumph at Slough 3rds.

Ben Myles (109no), Craig Beales (93no) and George Horsley (52) all batted well as the Oaks declared on 271-4 after 47 overs, and with Charlie Carter (4-43) and Lewis Sharp (4-51) then bowling well, Slough were dismissed for 204.

Eversley (156) maintained their Division 2a title challenge by beating Kew (116) by 40 runs.

Eversley host Maidenhead & Bray on Saturday.

In Division 2b, spinners Lewis Smith (5-35) and Phil Higgs (3-49) bowled fourth-placed Hurst (167-4) to a six-wicket success against Fleet, Chris McCarthy securing the victory with an unbeaten 51 from 43 balls.

Hurst are at home to Aldershot next Saturday.

Basement side Royal Ascot (142) – who travel to Fleet on Saturday – fell to a five-wicket reverse at Thatcham Town (144-5), while Finchampstead 2nds (138) lost to table-topping Henley 2nds (139-3) by seven wickets.

Wokingham 3rds dropped out of the top two in Division 4a after they were edged out by two wickets at Wargrave 2nds.

Matthew Taylor top scored with an unbeaten 59 as the Oaks posted 208-9, Tom Walker (5-49) and Ollie Newton (3-59) the pick of the Wargrave attack.

The hosts managed to reach their target with an over to spare, Will Allum's 93 leading Wargrave to 209-8 despite the best efforts of Jake Turner (4-49).

Bottom side Bracknell's (138) relegation is all but confirmed after they suffered a 125-run thumping at home to North Maidenhead 2nds (263-6).

Bracknell are at home to Bagshot 2nds this coming Saturday.

Division 5b table-toppers Eversley 2nds (235-9) won a thrilling game with Boyne Hill 3rds (234-7 declared after 50 overs) by one wicket with just a single over to spare.

Sam Glaze was the pick of the Boars' attack after taking 3-49 from 15 overs, while their runs predominantly came from skipper Mike Judd (56), Matt Martin (51) and Matt Salter (48).

Kamal Gupta (3-38) and Peter Henly (3-68) impressed with the ball for Binfield 2nds (205-7), but their promotion bid suffered a setback after they had the worst of their draw with Thatcham Town 2nds (260-8).

A magnificent spell from Aarav Radhakrishnan (6-11) and useful support from Myles Trainor (3-50) nearly rescued Royal Ascot 2nds (100) from defeat, but they eventually went down by one wicket to Maidenhead & Bray 2nds (102-9).

Ian Harvey too 4-45 for Hurst 2nds (130), but they went down by six wickets at Division 6b leaders Bradfield (131-4).

Chris Ward struck a brilliant 104 to help Finchampstead 4ths (182-9) hang on for a draw at Sonning 2nds (251-4 declared after 49 overs).

The stand-out performers for Sonning were Gerard Soames (100), Jacob Fitton (60) and Ella Phillips (4-22).

In Division 7a, Disney Abeyesekara (70) and Murray Barter (54) were both among the runs for Royal Ascot 4ths (269-5 declared from 51 overs) as they dominated their draw against Binfield 3rds (190-6).

Fit-again Tim Vines was the saviour for Binfield, striking an unbeaten 84 to lead his side to safety.

Wokingham 4ths (184-8) had the better of their draw against Aldershot 3rds (98-9).

Ian Smith struck a wonderful 121 as Eversley 3rds made it 14 wins from 14 games and sealed promotion from Division 8a after they beat Theale & Tilehurst 3rds by 99 runs.

Smith's effort helped the Boars post 232-5 in their 40 overs, and T&T could only reach 133-8 in reply.

Wokingham 5ths (125-9) remain in promotion contention after snatching a thrilling one-wicket victory against Bracknell 2nds (124).

Dave Higginson smashed a brilliant 74 to guide Finchampstead 5ths (224) to an 88-run victory against Royal Ascot 4ths (136).

Omair Sheikh was the pick of the Ascot attack with figures of 4-43.

A Jon Last 50 and a fine spell from Graeme Ellis (5-33) proved decisive as Eversley 4ths (217-7) beat Kidmore End 3rds (119) by 98 runs in Division 9a.

Wokingham Oaks & Acorns (55-3) beat Newbury 3rds (51) by seven wickets.