WARGRAVE kept their slim Division 2b title hopes alive after securing a five-wicket victory against struggling Royal Ascot on the Duckworth/Lewis method, writes Richard Ashton.

Gareth Baker top scored with 64 as the home side posted a competitive 229-8, Jack Clark taking 3-46.

Wargrave lost Luke Taylor early, but a useful knock from opener Sam Bowers (56) kept their noses in front, and despite Nick Wiggett’s 3-33, Wargrave reached 192-5 in 42 overs, captain Neal Robinson top scoring with an unbeaten 60.

Wargrave are at home to Aldershot on Saturday (12.30pm).

A dismal batting performance saw second-bottom Hurst lose by 79 runs to the only side below them in the league, Wokingham 2nds.

Manpreet Singh top scored with 50 as the Oaks were bowled out for 173, Phil Higgs taking 3-31 with his off spin.

No Hurst batsman got going in reply, however, and with Paul McCraw (4-23) and young Charlie Carter (3-20) in fine form, they were shot out for just 94.

Hurst visit Beaconsfield on Saturday.

Captain James Frost and experienced opener Jeff Sheldon played key roles in helping Kidmore End secure a 25-run victory at Kew in Division 2a.

The visitors crashed to 42-5 before Sheldon (58) and Frost (60no) revived the innings, Kidmore eventually ending their 50 overs on 187-7.

Sheldon (2-32) and Frost then reduced Kew to 14-3, and with left-arm spinner Alex Crawford (4-15) in a frugal mood, the home side were eventually bowled out for 161.

Kidmore End are at home to table-topping Hayes this Saturday.

In Division 3a, Purley on Thames were in a good position before the rain intervened in their game at Falkland 2nds.

Alex Clough took 3-41 as the hosts were restricted to 239-6 off 45 overs, and the Potters had raced to 87-1 from 14 when the heavens opened leaving James Measham 44 not out.

Purley on Thames host leaders High Wycombe 3rds this Saturday.

Dan Anderson made an unbeaten 54, but rock bottom Sonning (177-8) sunk a step nearer to relegation from Division 3b after they were hammered by 128 runs at home to NPL (305-7).

Sonning visit Ickenham on Saturday.

Sulhamstead moved back into the Division 4a promotion places after a thumping 217-run victory at Bagshot 2nds.

Marc Thompson (101no) and skipper Aaron Briggs (79) led the way as the visitors posted 313-5 in their 45 overs, and Craig Palmer’s 3-30 helped decimate Bagshot for just 96.

Sulhamstead host Henley 3rds this coming Saturday.

Theale & Tilehurst had a day to forget as they were annihilated by 171 runs at Henley 3rds.

Micheal Holder took 3-42, but with T&T giving up 73 extras including 60 wides, Henley were able to reach 251-6.

The Theale & Tilehurst reply never got going, and they were skittled for just 80 in 19 overs.

Theale & Tilehurst face a tough test at home to champions Binfield on Saturday.

Division 5b basement boys Purley on Thames 2nds (108) were thrashed by 10 wickets at home to Boyne Hill 3rds (109-0), while second-bottom Sonning 2nds (146) lost by seven wickets to Falkland 3rds (148-3).

Youngster Sravan Konidena (64) and Charlie Moss (63) were in fine form for second-placed Wargrave 2nds (307-6)a as they smashed Aldershot 2nds (155) by 152 runs, Konidena also taking 5-26.

Bradfield (149-3 in 26 overs) remain 20 points off the top two in Division 6b after a seven-wicket win at home to Finchampstead 4ths (212-7) on the Adjusted Run Rate method.

Bradfield travel to Cove 3rds next Saturday.

James White top scored with 56, but Theale & Tilehurst 2nds(184-9) lost by six wickets to Binfield 2nds (187-4), while Hurst 2nds conceded their game against table-topping Taplow 2nds.

In Division 7a, Wokingham 4ths (212) beat cellar-dwellers Theale & Tilehurst 3rds (180-9) by 32 runs, but Kidmore End 2nds (249-1) battered Eversley 3rds (245-6) by nine wickets on the back of fine knocks from Mark New (108no) and Chris Pigden (52).

Sulhamstead 2nds (196) were dispatched by eight wickets against White Waltham 2nds (199-2).

Bob Bolton was again in outstanding form with the ball for Bradfield 2nds, his 5-18 leading the fourth-placed side to a convincing five-wicket triumph at Bagshot 3rds in Division 8a.

The hosts never really got going and could only muster 136-7 in their 40 overs, and Jon Bartlett’s 62 gave Bradfield (137-5) the base to ease to victory with more than seven overs to spare.

Opener Shabin Rana made 55 for rock bottom Sonning 3rds (121), but they were on the wrong end of a 159-run pasting at Boyne Hill 4ths (280-7).

A wonderful 129 from Sam Warren, aided by James Newton’s 59, helped second-placed Wargrave 3rds (259-5) power past Datchet 4ths (131) by 128 runs, Scott Walker bagging 4-19.

In Division 9a, Kidmore End 3rds (148) slipped to a five-wicket loss to Newbury 3rds (149-5).