THEALE & Tilehurst suffered their first defeat of the Division 4a campaign as they were knocked over at hosts Royal Ascot 2nds by six wickets, writes Richard Ashton.

Ascot bowled the away side out for 138, and they then cruised to their target in 36.4 overs.

Second-placed Sulhamstead returned to winning ways with a four-wicket triumph at home to Newbury.

Matt Gill (3-14) and Sanjay Dove (3-22) impressed for Sully, who bowled out the visitors for 154 despite Charlie Anstey making 68 and Rajeev Hanabe 44.

Opener Jason Doole (66) played the key hand during the run chase, and Aaron Briggs' men reached their target with 28 balls in hand.

Sulhamstead visit White Waltham this Saturday.

In Division 2a, Kidmore End scraped to a two-wicket success at Maidenhead & Bray.

Spinners Umer Faroqi (4-29) and Alex Crawford (3-26) did the damage as Maids were bowled out for 154, and captain James Frost made a vital unbeaten 36 late on to see his side to 156-8.

Kidmore End host Eversley on Saturday – the two sides locked on 67 points at the top of the table.

In Division 2b, Hurst were on the wrong end of a 10-wicket caning at High Wycombe 2nds.

Alex Kayser’s 75 was a high point in Hurst’s disappointing total of 181, Sam Parry (4-30) the destroyer-in-chief for the home side.

Wycombe made batting look far easier as they chased down the total in 32.1 overs, Will Hatton (81no) and John Stevens (79no) helping themselves to runs.

Hurst are at home to Thatcham Town this coming Saturday.

Rahu Thava and Sam Corbett both scored 45 as Purley on Thames collected a second straight Division 3a success with a 44-run home win against Farnham Royal.

The Potters posted 238-8 before knocking over their opponents for 194.

Purley on Thames visit Finchampstead 3rds this coming Saturday.

Duncan Parr (4-22) and Nigel Jackson (3-26) did the damage for Sonning (127-2) as they grabbed a first Division 3b triumph with an eight-wicket win at home to Gerrards Cross 2nds (125).

Sonning travel to Datchet 2nds on Saturday.

Mohammed Shabbir was in phenomenal form with the ball as Bracknell smashed Sonning 2nds by 193 runs in Division 5b.

Junaid Ashiq (43no) led the way for the home side as they totalled 240-8 in 45 overs, aided by a remarkably generous 51 extras from Sonning which included 18 wides and 14 no balls.

The Sonning innings never got going with only Steve Rayfield (19) making double figures as they were rolled for only 47.

Shabbir (5-17), Phil Stone (3-27) and Peter Henly (2-0) did the damage with the ball for Bracknell.

Purley on Thames 2nds (66) were flattened by 10 wickets at Wokingham 3rds (67-0).

Hurst 2nds obliterated Bradfield by nine wickets in Division 6b.

Ian Harvey (4-10 off nine overs) and Tim Everitt (2-22 off 10) were in fine form with the ball as Bradfield were knocked over for 149.

In reply, skipper Ollie Lovegrove continued his sensational start to the campaign with an unbeaten 107, and Hurst reached 150-1 in 32.4 overs.

Bradfield host Reading 3rds on Saturday.

Theale & Tilehurst 2nds (175-9) lost to Taplow 2nds (218) by 43 runs.

In Division 7a, Jake Leach cracked five maximums in his 75, but it was not enough to stop Kidmore End 2nds (198) being annihilated by Fleet 2nds (201-1) by nine wickets.

Christian Blackford bagged 3-33 and Al McEwan made an unbeaten 45 to lead Sulhamstead 2nds (117-5) to a dominant five-wicket win at Newbury 2nds (114).

Theale & Tilehurst 3rds (71) suffered a disastrous day at the office as they were thrashed by four wickets at home to Yateley 2nds.

Bradfield 2nds came up 85 runs short in their homes game with Hayes 3rds.

The visitors racked up an imposing 246-4 in their 40 overs, and Bradfield were only able to reach 161-9 in reply.

Stefan Gordon scored a magnificent 134 not out to fire Kidmore End 3rds to a sensational 10-wicket win against Windsor 3rds in Division 9a.

Opening bowlers Harry Ingram (3-42) and Nathan Ingram (34) impressed for Kidmore, but Windsor still appeared to be well and truly in the game after posting a competitive 171-8 from their 40 overs.

However, they had not banked on Gordon being at his best, and with the aid of an unbeaten 30 from captain Todd Butler, Kidmore eased to victory with eight overs to spare.