JACK Kendell made a brilliant unbeaten 108 as Royal Ascot kicked off their Division 2b season with an emphatic seven-wicket win at Hurst, writes Richard Ashton.

The home side were restricted to 167-8 from their 50 overs, and Kendell’s knock ensured Ascot reached their target in just 32.

Hurst travel to Finchampstead 2nds this Saturday, while Wargrave – who had a bye week following Yateley’s withdrawal from the division – visit High Wycombe 2nds.

Jake Easton (48) top scored as Kidmore End began their Division 2a campaign with an emphatic 134-run thrashing of Marlow.

The home side were bowled out for 238, but a fine spell from left-arm spinner Alex Crawford (3-15 off 10 overs) helped dismiss Marlow for 104.

Kidmore End travel to OMT on Saturday.

In Division 3a, Purley on Thames slipped to a four-wicket defeat at Fleet.

Patrick Allen (70) led the way for the Potters in their total of 199, but they could not prevent Fleet reacing their target with 7.4 overs to spare.

Purley on Thames host Bagshot this coming Saturday.

Sonning (122) suffered a bad day at the office as they went down by 122 runs to Burnham 2nds (244-6) in Division 3b.

They host Chiswick & Whitton this coming Saturday.

Michael Holder’s superb unbeaten 76 guided Theale & Tilehurst to a four-wicket win at home to Bagshot 2nds in Division 4a.

Ram Sankaran (4-36) starred with the ball as the visitors were bowled out for 166, and Holder saw his side home.

Theale & Tilehurst visit Sulhamstead this Saturday.

In Division 5b, Eversley 2nds cruised to an eight-wicket victory at Purley on Thames 2nds.

Colin Webb (3-5) and Ru Whelan (3-25) were the destroyers-in-chief as the Boars knocked Purley over for only 99, and Saranya Madina then made 52 to guide Eversley to a comfortable win.

John Rimmer recorded amazing figures of 6-6 as Wargrave 2nds (55-1) obliterated Sonning 2nds (52) by nine wickets.

Bradfield’s (137) opening Division 6b game ended in a six-wicket defeat to Taplow 2nds (139-4).

Theale & Tilehurst 2nds (105) – who host Bradfield this Saturday – lost by seven wickets at Cove 3rds (111-3).

In Division 7a, Sulhamstead 2nds hammered Fleet 2nds by 103 runs.

Digvijay Singh (71) and Vinoth Palanisamy (52no) were both in fine form as Sully made 224-8 in their 45 overs, before Jack Stanley (3-2) and Singh (3-14) wiped out the Fleet innings in a score of 121.

Theale & Tilehurst 3rds (110) lost by eight wickets to Newbury 2nds (111-2).

Sam Crawford (3-36) and Nish Rajmohan (41) were in form for Kidmore End 2nds (181-6) as they overcame Yateley 2nds (178-8) by four wickets.

Royal Ascot 4ths (185-8) began with a win as they overcame Sonning 3rds (100) by 85 runs in Division 8a.

Huw Thomas top scored with 88 and captain Matthew Townson chipped in with 64 as Wargrave 3rds (229-3) eased past Boyne Hill 4ths (121).

Bradfield 2nds collected 20 points after their opponents, Datchet 4ths, could not raise a side.

Openers Luke Gray (40) and Devinder Udeen (36) set the base for Kidmore End 3rds (183-5) to beat Wokingham 5ths (182) by five wickets.

  • BINFIELD completed a good weekend for the club by moving into the second round of the National Village Cup with a 233-run demolition of Purley on Thames on Sunday.

Chris Morgan led the way with 112, while Eddie Lee also chipped in with 83 as the home side racked up a massive 301-4 in their 40 overs.

The Potters were never in contention in reply, veteran Tim Vines claiming 5-34 as Purley were shot out for just 68.

Binfield host Donnington in the second round this coming Sunday.