WARGRAVE kept their outside Division 2b promotion hopes alive after beating visitors Wokingham 2nds by four wickets, writes Richard Ashton.

Martin Smith (4-10) and Mark Firth (3-34) did the bulk of the damage as the Oaks were bowled out for 129, and despite Jarrett Bobb’s 3-43, Wargrave were able to reach their target in 34.3 overs.

Third-placed Wargrave visit Beaconsifeld, one spot ahead of them in the table, on Saturday.

Hurst are just one place off the bottom after they lost by five wickets at home to table-topping High Wycombe 2nds.

Phil Higgs (47) and Sam Hawkes (40) helped Hurst reach 161, but that was not enough as Gavin Baker’s 91 ushered the visitors to victory.

Hurst travel to Thatcham Town on Saturday.

Kidmore End just held on for a draw at home to Maidenhead & Bray in Division 2a.

Spinner Guy Ashby took 3-72 in 20 overs as the away side posted 246-6, but despite fine knocks from skipper James Frost (55) and Ashby (45), Kidmore were forced to hang on at 176-9.

Kidmore End visit Eversley this coming Saturday.

In Division 3a, Purley on Thames (57) suffered a day to forget as they were thrashed by 205 runs at Farnham Royal (262-5).

The Potters host Finchampstead 3rds on Saturday.

Relegation-threatened Sonning (152) slipped to an eight-wicket reverse at Gerrards Cross 2nds (153-2) ahead of their Division 3b home game with Datchet 2nds this coming Saturday.

Spinner Marc Thompson (3-43) impressed as Sulhamstead kept their Division 4a promotion dream alive with a dramatic one-wicket derby win at Newbury.

The home side were restricted to 193-8, and with Jason Doole (49) leading the way, Sully just got home with one ball to spare.

Sulhamstead are at home to White Waltham on Saturday.

A magnificent 127 not out by Gareth Baker guided Royal Ascot 2nds (203-4) to a six-wicket success at Theale & Tilehurst (202), for whom Michael Holder scored 83.

Theale & Tilehurst travel to Reading 2nds on Saturday.

Division 5b table-toppers Wokingham 3rds earned a three-wicket win in a low-scoring clash at Purley on Thames 2nds.

Skipper Pete Rackley top scored with 65 as the hosts were knocked over for 138, and Craig Beales then scored 59 to help his side over the line.

Bracknell (124-2) eased past Sonning 2nds (122) by eight wickets.

Peter Henly (3-17), Akmal Sultan (3-25) and Majid Sherif (3-35) all bowled well for the visitors before Taz Shah made an unbeaten 74 to rocket his side to victory in just 15 overs.

Eversley 2nds (219) lost to Wargrave 2nds (220-9) by one wicket in a classic, Arul Appavoo taking 6-60 for the visitors before useful knocks from JJ Harris (72) and Matt Townson (44) led Wargrave to victory with just four balls remaining.

Captain Jack Byrne took 3-29 as Bradfield (83-2) crushed Hurst 2nds (80) by eight wickets in Division 6b. Bradfield travel to Reading 3rds this coming Saturday.

Mohammed Jamil (36 and 3-58) was the stand-out performer for Theale & Tilehurst 2nds (152), but they lost by six wickets to leaders Taplow 2nds (156-4).

In Division 7a, Zia Ulhaq top scored with an unbeaten 71 as Sulhamstead 2nds (263-6) battered Newbury 2nds (92) by 171 runs, Graham Smith taking 4-41 for Sully.

Rock bottom Theale & Tilehurst 3rds (124) lost by six wickets to Yateley 2nds (127-4).

Luke Sinclair made an excellent 76 for Kidmore End 2nds (201), but despite Azhar Udeen’s 4-81 they lost by three wickets to Fleet 2nds (205-7).

Bradfield 2nds (108) lost by 120 runs at Hayes 3rds in Division 8a.

Ben Armstrong took 4-34 as the hosts posted 228-8, but despite Zac Stancombe’s 50 accounting for almost half their score, Bradfield were dismissed for 108.

Kevin Rapley (5-12) and Joe Warren (4-26) led the way for second-placed Wargrave 3rds (89-2) as they smashed basement boys Sonning 3rds (88) by eight wickets.

In Division 9a, Kidmore End 3rds collected 20 points after Windsor 3rds were unable to raise a side.