IAN Rose made 59 and Andy Webb 41, but Finchampstead 3rds crashed to a four-wicket reverse at home to struggling Purley on Thames in Division 3a, writes Richard Ashton.

Finches reached 200-8 in their 45 overs, but fine knocks from Raj Senniappan (51) and Patrick Allen (49) ensured the Potters gave their survival bid a big boost.

Binfield were effectively crowned champions following their 42-run victory at Sulhamstead.

Mike Staves' men are 42 points clear of second-placed Wokingham 2nds, however the Oaks may yet get a chance to replay their abandoned game at Sully from earlier in the year, which would mean Binfield are not mathematically certain of taking the title.

On Saturday, Shaun Miller top scored with 66 as Binfield amassed 211-9, Stuart Hornby (3-19) the pick of the attack.

However, Sully could only reach 169-9 in reply, despite the best efforts of Marc Thompson (59).

Tom Andrews (3-32) was the stand-out bowler for Binfield, who can secure a second straight league title with victory at Wokingham 2nds on Saturday.

Stuart Hayter's unbeaten 64 proved insufficient for Wokingham 2nds (168), who went down by five wickets to Boyne Hill 2nds (172-5) in a result which effectively ended their own championship hopes.

Second-placed Eversley thrashed Ickenham by 110 runs to cut the gap to 10 points following their Division 2a top-of-the-table clash.

Alex Davidson (86) and Tom Nichols (60) led the charge as the Boars smashed 276-9 in their 50 overs, and with Nick McGuane and Tom Magowan both taking 3-35, Ickenham were dismissed for 166 in reply.

Eversley host Amersham 2nds on Saturday.

In Division 2b, skipper Lewis Smith and Max Carroll starred with bat and ball as Hurst moved up to third with a 48-run success at home to Finchampstead 2nds.

Smith (76) and Carroll (49) batted well as Hurst posted 239-9, Simon Bell taking 3-41.

Bell (55) completed a fine all-round performance with 55, but from 142-3, Finches collapsed to 191 all out in the wake of fine spells from Smith (4-33) and Carroll (3-34).

Hurst host leaders Beaconsfield this Saturday.

Basement side Royal Ascot look set for relegation after a nine-wicket reverse at Bagshot.

James Gamble made an impressive unbeaten 92 as the visitors posted 200-7, but Bagshot (201-1) eased to victory in 37.1 overs.

Royal Ascot must win their last two fixtures – starting at second-placed Henley 2nds on Saturday – to give themselves a chance of staying up.

David Bishop (3-17) and Charlie O'Brien (3-36) kept Wokingham 3rds' (95-1) Division 4a promotion hopes alive with a resounding nine-wicket win at home to already-relegated Bracknell (94).

Bracknell host Theale & Tilehurst this coming Saturday.

Joe Howorth took 6-32 to fire Eversley 2nds to promotion from Division 5b, the table-toppers cruising to a six-wicket success at Royal Ascot 2nds (166).

Matt Martin (57), Harry Leach (49no) and Tom Wright then steered the Boars to 168-4, and with Binfield 2nds (118) losing to Maidenhead & Bray 2nds (120-5), Eversley are now certain of a top-two finish.

In Division 6b, youngsters Joe Sheldon (3-47) and Karthik Kanthi (115no) inspired Finchampstead 4ths (201-6) to a fine four-wicket victory at Fleet 2nds (199-7).

Abhir Joshi top-scored with 63 for Hurst 2nds (205-9), but they went down by 29 runs at Reading 3rds (234-6).

Binfield 3rds (148) remain in the Division 7a relegation scrap after going down by 104 runs at Slough 5ths (252).

Ranjeet Sidhu made 54 and Hugh Doyle took 4-27 to help Wokingham 4ths 219-7) to a narrow nine-run victory against Newbury 2nds (210-9).

Murray Barter (63) was the stand-out performer for Royal Ascot 3rds (155) but they fell to a five-wicket reverse at home to second-placed Wargrave 3rds (158-5).

James Newton top scored with 53 for the visitors.

Division 8a champions-elect Eversley 3rds lost for the first time this season as they went down by seven wickets in their top-of-the-table encounter at Bradfield 2nds.

The Boars were restricted to just 111-9 in their 40 overs, and Dave Balkissoon notched 50 to lead the hosts to 112-3 in just 23 overs.

Finchampstead 5ths (144) suffered a 162-run hammering at Boyne Hill 4ths (306-6), while Royal Ascot 4ths conceded their game at Bagshot 3rds.

Mark James snared 6-20 as Wokingham 5ths (48-2) kept their outside promotion hopes alive with an eight-wicket triumph at home to Thatcham Town 3rds (45).

Chris White (75) and Nauman Ali (52) led the way for Bracknell 2nds (222-5) before Saibabu Malisetti took 4-24 to deliver a 69-run triumph over Theale & Tilehurst 3rds (153).

In Division 9a, Dave Howorth struck an unbeaten 65 and Graeme Ellis grabbed 6-30 as Eversley 4ths (208-7) beat Newbury 3rds (148) by 60 runs.

Wokingham Oaks & Acorns were without a fixture last weekend.