HURST crashed to a disappointing 171-run defeat to new Division 2b leaders Royal Ascot, writes Richard Ashton.

Ollie Dunnett (95) top scored for the visitors, and with Andy English chipping in with 56, Ascot racked up an imposing 315-8 in their 50 overs.

Dunnett (3-28) and Kevin May (3-43) then helped skittle the home side for 144, Ollie Lovegrove (30) providing the only significant resistance.

Hurst travel to Beaconsfield on Saturday (1pm).

A stunning unbeaten 128 by Jason Penissi helped Sonning record a maiden win of the season against Slough 2nds, taking the spoils by four wickets on the Duckworth/Lewis system.

Danyal Akhtar (141) and Raheem Akhtar (55) had helped the visitors rack up an impressive 315-8, but following a rain break, Sonning were set a revised 311 to win.

And thanks to Penissi and captain Peter Dean (75), they managed it from the final ball.

Sonning visit Aldershot on Saturday (1pm).

James Frost’s magnificent form continued as he bowled Kidmore End to an 83-run success at Hayes in Division 2a.

Jeff Sheldon (48), Guy Ashby (47) and Zac Leonard (41) led the way as Kidmore reached 239-6 in their 50 overs, but Frost’s excellent 5-41 ensured that was plenty, Hayes dismissed for 156.

Second-placed Kidmore End host Maidenhead & Bray this Saturday (1pm).

Division 3a table-toppers Wargrave maintained their unbeaten run by cruising past nearest rivals Purley on Thames by eight wickets.

Toby Greatwood (5-49) was the star with the ball as Wargrave dismissed the Potters for 172, Robbie Jeffrey top scoring with 67.

That never looked like being enough after Mandip Sohi made 72, and the visitors raced to victory in just 24.4 overs.

Wargrave host Cove 2nds on Saturday, while Purley on Thames have a bye weekend following the demise of Yateley 2nds.

Theale & Tilehurst were denied a likely Division 4b victory at Thatcham Town 2nds after their game was abandoned due to rain.

Andy Sharp (69), Hammad Ali (47) and Andrew Wigmore (42) fired the visitors to 264-7 declared in 49 overs, and they reduced their opponents to 95-6 in 32.1 overs when the rain arrived. Rob Dimmack took 3-43.

Theale & Tilehurst are at home to North Maidenhead 2nds on Saturday (1pm).

Wargrave 2nds were involved in a thrilling Division 5b game at home to Chiswick & Whitton 2nds, although it was ultimately abandoned due to bad weather.

Vishal Kakar (131) and Amrit Malhotra (71) helped the visitors declare on 287-4 off 49 overs, but Oliver Newton’s 71 kept Wargrave (238-7) in the game until it was rained off after 46 overs of their reply.

Hurst 2nds had to settle for the worst of a draw at Cove 3rds in Division 6b.

Joe Warren (3-21) and Aryan Joshi (3-48) bowled well as Hurst restricted their opponents to 195-9, but only skipper Tom Hibbs (43) really got going as his side ended on 150-7.

Prashant Panwar (5-23) stole the show with the ball as Purley on Thames 2nds (201-3) beat Farnham Common 2nds (199-9) by seven wickets.

Chris Priestley (63) and Robert Clarke (53no) starred for the Potters during their run chase.

Naqash Tahir (5-39) impressed for Sonning 2nds (261-7) before they pulled off a superb run chase to beat Yateley 3rds (260-7).

In Division 7a, Cameron Livingstone-Smith (109no) and Azhar Udeen (84) inspired Kidmore End 2nds to a 149-run destruction of Maidenhead & Bray 3rds.

The hosts smashed 283-5 before declaring after just 45 overs, and the latter (3-18) and Ankur Raina (3-36) then did the job with the ball to dismiss Maids for 134.

Mark Mason (5-34) and Jack Springgay (3-21) combined to bowl North Maidenhead 3rds out for 121, and James Martin’s unbeaten 58 ensured Theale & Tilehurst 2nds (122-4) eased to a six-wicket victory.

Sonning 3rds (136) lost to Bagshot 3rds (235-7) by 99 runs in Division 8a.

Charles Penman scored 52 as Theale & Tilehurst 3rds (204) drew a thriller with Datchet 4ths (200-7).

Kidmore End 3rds (107) were thrashed by nine wickets against Wokingham 5ths (108-1) in Division 9a, while Wargrave 3rds convincingly beat Cove 5ths by seven wickets.

Andrew Hattey took 6-31 as the hosts were routed for just 95, and Wargrave eased home in just 21.4 overs.