A SHOCKING batting collapse cost Royal Ascot dearly as they were routed by seven wickets at home to Hurst in Division 2b, writes Richard Ashton.

After an opening stand of 24, the home side lost 10 wickets for just 38 runs as they were shot out for 62, Andrew Ruddock the chief beneficiary with 3-24.

Hurst themselves slipped to 15-3, but an unbroken stand of 50 between James Watt (27no) and Connor White (24no) ensured they sealed a comfortable victory.

Hurst are at home to Finchampstead 2nds on Saturday, while Wargrave – who had a bye week – are at home to High Wycombe 2nds.

Kidmore End dropped to fourth in the Division 2a table after a 142-run thrashing at Marlow.

The hosts declared on 292-6 after 49 overs, and despite Zac Leonard's 49, Kidmore were bowled out from the last ball of the match.

Kidmore End host OMT on Saturday.

Purley on Thames boosted their Division 3a promotion hopes with a six-wicket cruise at home to second-placed Fleet.

Robbie Jeffrey (4-44) was the destroyer-in-chief for the Potters as they dismissed the visitors for 186, and Patrick Allen (84) and Sam Corbett (43) then guided their side home.

Sonning dropped to the bottom of Division 3b after they were hammered by 151 runs at home to fellow strugglers Burnham 2nds.

Ghulam Abbas (5-69) and Duncan Parr (3-54) helped bowl Burnham out for 263, and Sonning were shot out for 112 in reply.

Sonning visit Chiswick & Whitton on Saturday.

Micheal Holder took 6-48 to inspire Theale & Tilehurst to a five-wicket win at Bagshot 2nds.

The visitors were bowled out for 207, and Jacob Stoner (82no) and Andy Sharp (49) then got the bulk of the runs in the chase.

Theale & Tilehurst host Sulhamstead this coming Saturday.

In Division 5b, James Berger-North (73) and Mike Judd (41) were among the runs for Eversley 2nds (223-9 declared after 50 overs) as they beat Purley on Thames 2nds (158) by 65 runs, Roni Rezaul (3-19) and Joe Howorth (3-24) doing the damage with the ball.

Arul Appavoo took 4-37 for third-placed Wargrave 2nds as they thrashed Sonning 2nds by 10 wickets.

Steve Mankee's 88 helped Sonning to 179-9, but JJ Harris (102no) and Luke Taylor (55no) then sent the ball to all parts as they raced to 180-1 in 22.1 overs.

In Division 6b, Ian Harvey took 4-31 as Hurst 2nds (174-7) beat Reading 3rds (170) by three wickets, captain Graham Cassie (46) top scoring for the beaten side.

Chris Dishington took 6-56 from 22 overs for Reading.

Bradfield (164) lost to Taplow 2nds (168-4) by six wickets. They host Theale & Tilehurst 2nds this Saturday.

Charles Penman (44) and Brian Cooper (4-50) starred for Theale & Tilehurst 2nds (165), but they lost by one wicket to Cove 3rds (169-9).

Fine innings from Gregor Hearn (78) and Stefan Gordon (62no)inspired Kidmore End 2nds (285-5) to a high-scoring five-wicket victory at home to Yateley 2nds (281-5 declared after 49 overs) in Division 7a.

Skipper Tim Benham (63) led the way for Sulhamstead 2nds (231-5) as they beat Fleet 2nds (229-9) by five wickets.

Jack Robey's 4-35 and an unbeaten 78 from Kay Hussain guided Theale & Tilehurst 3rds (201-8) to a two-wicket success against Newbury 2nds (197).

In Division 8a, Bradfield 2nds (193-7) beat Datchet 4ths (190) by three wickets, while Royal Ascot 4ths collected 20 points after Sonning 3rds conceded their game.

Second-placed Wargrave 3rds pulled off a brilliant run chase to beat Boyne Hill 4ths by four wickets.

The hosts looked to be on top after making 260-7 in their 40 overs, but a magnificent 116 from Sravan Konidena – aided by 47 from Chris Hattey and 46 not out from Andrew Hattey – helped Wargrave over the line with five balls to spare.

Prasad Kulkarni (64no) and Carl Rushworth (56) led the way for Wokingham 5ths as they beat Kidmore End 3rds by 48 runs in Division 9a.

The hosts totalled 239-5 before keeping their opponents to 191-4 in reply.

Nathan Ruegg top scored with 65 for Kidmore, while Alex Rusjan batted the innings for his 49 not out.