MAC Keast struck 87 and Ed Oliver 82 as Finchampstead 2nds fell agonisingly short of victory at home to Wargrave, having to settle for the better of a draw in Division 2b, writes Richard Ashton.

The home side racked up an impressive 284-4 in their 52 overs, and Wargrave were forced to hang on at 270-9 in reply, Michael Cowdell top scoring with 91 as Asim Hussain took 7-123.

Wargrave do not have a game on Saturday following Yateley’s resignation earlier this season.

Alex Kayser (55) and Connor White (49) were among the runs as Hurst had the better of a draw against Aldershot.

The home side totalled 222-7 before off spinner Phil Higgs (4-55 off 21 overs) and paceman Nick Reynolds (3-42) nearly bowled them to victory, Aldershot closing on 156-9.

Hurst visit Royal Ascot on Saturday.

In Division 3a, James Denton top scored with 56 as Purley on Thames (251) had the better of their draw against Cove 2nds (244-7).

Purley on Thames are at home to Fleet on Saturday.

Marc Richards (76), Gary Phillips (55) and Pete Dean (43) were amongst the runs for Sonning (238-8), but they went down to a six-wicket Division 3b loss to Tring Park 2nds (241-4).

Brothers Sheridon (89) and Shelvin (65) Gumbs starred for the visitors.

Second-bottom Sonning host the only side below them – Burnham 2nds – on Saturday.

Royal Ascot 2nds dug in to secure a draw against second-placed Sulhamstead.

Captain Aaron Briggs (60no), Phil Walden (60) and Marc Thompson (48) led the charge as Sully smashed 278-5 before declaring after 49 overs, but Gary Clarke (52) anchored the reply as the visitors ended on 181-8.

Theale & Tilehurst battled to a draw at White Waltham in a game which featured a remarkable 103 extras.

The home side declared on a massive 370-4 after 49 overs, T&T donating 41 extras as skipper Chris Metherell also impressed with 132.

Theale & Tilehurst batted well in reply, though, and with Rob Why (61), Michael Holder (54) and James Bozarth (53no) all making half centuries, they reached safety on 320-5 – aided by 62 White Waltham extras.

Theale & Tilehurst visit Bagshot 2nds on Saturday.

Excellent spells from Colin Webb (4-27) and Joe Howorth (3-23) inspired Eversley 2nds to a six-wicket victory at home to Sonning 2nds in Division 5b.

Sonning were dismissed for 173 before Paul Ager’s 65 helped the Boars ease home.

Purley on Thames 2nds (115) lost by 71 runs at Thatcham Town 2nds (186), while Hareesh Reddy (134) and Kieran Lall (78) shone for Wargrave 2nds (239-4) as they beat Boyne Hill 3rds by 73 runs.

Reddy completed a fine personal performance with 3-23, and Emma Walker snared 3-16 from her six overs.

In Division 6b, captain Ollie Lovegrove (79no) and Tom Walker (45no) were in fine form as Hurst 2nds (133-0) trounced Burnham 4ths (132) by 10 wickets.

Tim Everitt (4-41) and Ian Harvey (4-6) were the destroyers-in-chief for Hurst.

Adil Mohammed top scored with 46 as Finchampstead 4ths beat Theale & Tilehurst 2nds by 81 runs.

Finches were bowled out for 177, but Jake Shortland (4-11) and Mike Simmonite (4-42) then impressed as T&T were rolled for 96.

Rama Adigantla recorded magnificent figures of 7-44 from his 17 overs as Bradfield beat Aldershot 3rds by five wickets.

The home side were dismissed for 138, and opener Mark Bolton then scored 49 to help Bradfield move to their target comfortably.

Wokingham 4ths moved up to third in the Division 7a table after a narrow 13-run victory at home to Sulhamstead 2nds.

Ranjeet Sidhu (69) and Vikesh Patel (66) provided the bulk of the runs as the Oaks were bowled out for 243 in 48.3 overs, Graham Smith taking 5-83 from 19.

Patel (4-56 from 12 overs) and Atharva Patil (3-27) then starred with the ball, and despite Digvijay Singh’s 81, Sulhamstead could only reach 230 to fall just short.

Eversley 3rds (210-9) just held on for a draw at home to Theale & Tilehurst 3rds (283-6), Khadim Aslam making 77 for the visitors.

In Division 8a, Bracknell 2nds (123-3) enjoyed a seven-wicket victory at home to Sonning 3rds (121).

Royal Ascot 4ths (153-9) were beaten by three wickets at Bradfield 2nds (155-7), and Joe Warren scored 55 as Wargrave 3rds (195) hammered Hayes 3rds (71) by 124 runs.