WOKINGHAM 1sts are one step closer to winning the Thames Valley League title, writes Dave Wright.

With every game falling foul to the wet weather on Saturday, the clear Division 1 leaders are now just six games away from promotion to the Home Counties Premier League.

Their points total of 228 points leaves them a healthy 31 ahead of second-placed Cove.

The Oaks did manage to start their game at Boyne Hill last weekend, making 58-2 in 18 overs.

The men out were Stuart Parsons for one and Danny Housego for five, both being caught by wicketkeeper Hamid Riaz off the bowling of Ziya Mohamed (2-15).

When rain forced the players off for good, skipper Stuart Hayter was left unbeaten on 39 off 59 balls and Archie Carter five.

This Saturday, the Oaks are home to fourth-placed Stoke Green and will be seeking revenge for the six-wicket defeat they suffered in the away game in May.

Finchampstead 2nds’ home match with Gerrards Cross was abandoned as they remain bottom of the Division 1 table with 100 points, 36 behind Henley 2nd, the other side currently in the relegation zone. The two strugglers meet at Henley this weekend.

In Division 2a, Eversley stay in seventh spot after their fixture at the third club, Kidmore End, was called off without a ball bowled.

Next up for Eversley is a home game with table-topping North Maidenhead.

Yateley, lying third from bottom of the table, and sixth-placed Royal Ascot did manage to make a start to their Division 2b encounter, with Yateley reaching 104-2 in 19 overs thanks to 47 not out from James Halson and 38 by Harry Maxfield.

No play was possible in the game between second-bottom Burnham 2nds and fifth-placed Hurst.

This coming Saturday, Hurst receive a visit from Aldershot, Yateley host Thatcham and Ascot head for Burnham.

Wokingham 2nds and Fleet didn’t see any action at Sadlers End, leaving the Oaks second in the Division 3a standings on 191 points, 15 fewer than leaders Wargrave, but with a game in hand.

Finchampstead 3rds, in fourth place, were without a game last weekend.

Finch return to action with a home derby against Wokingham, while Wargrave travel to play Falkland 2nds.

Royal Ascot 3rds remain in sixth spot in Division 4a following the cancellation of their match at Teddington Town.

Eversley 2nds are tailed off at the foot of the table with just 86 points - 47 behind second-bottom Burnham 3rd - after having been penalised 25 points for failing to provide an umpire on seven occasions this season. 

Eversley visit Burnham this coming weekend, while Ascot host Slough 3rds.

In Division 5b, Bracknell were able to make a start to their home game with Maidenhead & Bray 2nds, with the visitors reaching 60-3 in 20 overs before heavy rain forced the players into the pavilion.

Imran Raja (1-23) and Rashid Afridi (1-25) each picked up a wicket, while Anushka Jayamanne ran out opener Matt Allen.

The Larges Lane men remain second from bottom of the table with six games remaining, needing to make up 16 points on the side immediately above them, Wargrave 2nds.

Wokingham 3rds, in fifth spot, also started their game away to third-placed Henley 3rds, making 108-2 off 23 overs.

They lost both openers with only six runs on the board before Jake Turner (60 off 58 balls) and James Stevens (39 off 61) formed an unbroken partnership of 102.

This Saturday, it’s Wargave 2nds versus Bracknell and Wokingham 3rds take on Falkland 3rds at Sadlers End.

In Division 6b, Finchampstead 4th and Hurst 2nds will be hoping for a dry day so they can fulfil their fixtures at Yateley 3rds and Farnham Common 2nds respectively.

The same applied to the fixtures between North Maidenhead 3rds v Bracknell 2nds.

To say all 77 fixtures in the Thames Valley League were rained off on Saturday is not quite accurate as the Division 7a match between Wokingham 4ths and Thatcham 3rds had been already called off with the visitors forfeiting the game due to a lack of available players.

So Oaks received a 25 points and that healthy haul lifted them up to fifth in the Division 7a standings, a mere six points behind second placed Fleet 2nds.

In the same division, Eversley 3rds did see some action against at Maidenhead & Bray 3rds, making 53-3 in 24 overs, with skipper Paul Ager remaining 32 not out.

They visit Theale & Tilehurst 2nds this weekend, Bracknell 2nds play Newbury 2nds at Larges Lane and Wokingham 4ths travel to Kidmore Ends 2nds.

In Division 8a, eighth-placed Finchampstead 5ths versus leaders Theale & Tilehurst 3rds and third-placed Royal Ascot 4ths against Hayes 4ths were among the games cancelled.

This Saturday, Finch host Reading 4ths, whose side could include ex-Hampshire and Berkshire batsman, Julian Wood.