BINFIELD CC sent out an ominous statement of intent as they cruised past Sulhamstead by 73 runs in Division 4a on Saturday, writes Richard Ashton.

After Binfield were asked to bat by Sully captain Aaron Briggs, Wynand Lamprecht looked in fine form following his opening-day century as he raced to 15 from just eight balls before edging Doug Macdonald behind.

However, that was as good as it got for the away side, with Steve Carson (133 from 131 balls) and Chris Morgan (121no from 112) putting on a sensational 237-run partnership for the second wicket, their efforts ended when the former was caught by Jason Doole off the bowling of spinner Marc Thompson to leave Binfield 260-2.

There was no let-up, though, as Tom Andrews blasted a brace of maximums – one clearing the fence – in a quickfire 35 not out from only 19 balls, leading the home side to a colossal 325-2 from just 45 overs.

Sulhamstead endured a nightmare start to their reply as Andrews bowled Doole for a duck fourth ball, and when Thompson was run out without troubling the scorers, Sully were reeling on 2-2.

Matt Hayman had Steve Belcher caught behind by Alistair Higginson before Tim Benham and Briggs added 62 for the fourth wicket. However, three quick wickets – two for Jack Collett and one for Lamprecht – saw the away side crash from 88-3 to 101-6 and staring down the barrel of an almighty hiding.

However, Sulhamstead rallied with Jamie Seward (39 from 31), Sanjay Dove (60 off 54) and Matt Gill (43no from 28) making the most of a superb batting wicket to take their side to a creditable 252-8, albeit well short of the total posted by a Binfield team which has the early-season look of potential champions.

Sulhamstead host Newbury on Saturday.

Theale & Tilehurst won a stunning home game with Boyne Hill 2nds by one wicket.

Andy Sharp (5-32) starred with the ball as Boyne were bowled out for 197, and after Ash Misra made 50, Sharp held his nerve with an unbeaten 11 to get his side over the line.

Theale & Tilehurst visit Royal Ascot 2nds this Saturday.

An opening stand of 183 between Jake Easton (76) and Tom Burslem (94) helped Kidmore End to a high-scoring 15-run win at home to Chesham 2nds in Division 2a.

Shaun Burningham weighed in with a hard-hitting 77 from just 32 balls as the hosts posted 329-5 in their 50 overs, and despite Theo Weatherall (115no) and Alex Watson (88no from 73 balls) putting on an unbroken 182 for the fifth wicket, Chesham could only get to 314-4.

Kidmore End visit Maidenhead & Bray on Saturday.

In Division 2b, super knocks by Michael Cowdell (97no), Will Allum (96) and Mandip Sohi (55) inspired Wargrave to a 201-run drubbing of Thatcham Town.

Wargrave racked up an imposing 327-5 in their 50 overs, and skipper Neal Robinson then took 4-34 as the visitors were shot out for 126.

Wargrave visit Wokingham 2nds on Saturday.

Hurst were without a fixture last weekend following Yateley’s departure from the division, but they return to action at High Wycombe 2nds this coming Saturday.

Andrew Jackson’s 63 helped Purley on Thames (207-9 in 45 overs) to an 18-run victory at Harefield 2nds in Division 3a.

Purley on Thames host Farnham Royal this coming Saturday.

Mark Richards smashed 118 from 104 balls, but Sonning (254-6) were beaten by six wickets at Ruislip (258-4) in Division 3b.

Sonning are at home to Gerrards Cross 2nds on Saturday.

In Division 5b, Purley on Thames 2nds (162) lost to Aldershot 2nds (247-9) by 85 runs.

Ali Naeem (4-75 and 57) starred with bat and ball as Sonning 2nds overcame Wokingham 3rds by four wickets.

Ed Fox-Smith top scored with 78 as the Oaks posted an impressive 266-7 in their 45 overs, but Mohammed Atif (77), Dave Rintoul (73) and Naeem carried the hosts to victory with seven balls to spare.

Wargrave 2nds (210-6) beat Thatcham Town 2nds (133) by 77 runs.

Bradfield (152-4) recorded their first Thames Valley League victory as they beat Binfield 2nds (150) by six wickets in Division 6b.

Paul Edgington top scored with 33 for Binfield, and despite Rupert Warren taking 2-31, they could not defend a sub-par total, the hosts knocking the runs off in 30.2 overs.

Bradfield visit Hurst 2nds this Saturday.

Hurst 2nds beat Cove 3rds by five wickets in a low-scoring encounter.

Tim Everitt (3-12) led the way for the visitors as they rolled Cove for a mere 81, although it took a sensible knock of 28 not out from Tim Walder to guide them to victory having initially collapsed to 25-4.

Mohammed Jamil took 4-33 and then scored 42 as Theale & Tilehurst 2nds (233-4) overcame Aldershot 3rds (232-5) by three wickets.

Micky Mehta made an unbeaten 87 and James Martin also chipped in with 49 as Theale cruised home with more than 10 overs to spare.

Sulhamstead 2nds (147) were well beaten by Eversley 3rds (150-4) in Division 7a.

Khadim Aslam (56) continued his fine form for Theale & Tilehurst 3rds (172-7), but they were comfortably defeated by seven wickets at White Waltham 2nds (173-3).

Luke Gray (43) batted well for Kidmore End 2nds (190-9), but they were hammered by eight wickets at Wokingham 4ths (192-2).

In Division 8a, Conrad Hall and Harry Booker (both 3-20) bowled Bradfield 2nds (177-6) into a good position against Wargrave 3rds (191), but Sravan Konidena's 4-25 ensured they came up short by 14 runs.

James Travers took 3-20 to help Sonning 3rds (154) successfully defend their total in a 35-run victory against Thatcham Town 3rds (119).

Kidmore End 3rds (177) were thrashed by Finchampstead 5ths (178-1) by nine wickets in Division 9a, Simon Eldridge scoring 85 not out for Finches.