A DEVASTATING collapse resulted in Hurst losing by just one run to Royal Ascot in a Division 2b classic, writes Max Baker-Smith.

Royal Ascot batted first and looked to be in trouble at 24-3 following early wickets for Andrew Ruddock (2-59) and Nick Reynolds (2-27), but managed to recover to put on 184-6 after Oliver Dunnett (51no) held the innings together.

Hurst started steadily in reply, and at 123-4 looked likely to win the game after useful contributions from Lewis Smith (33) and Tom Hibbs (53).

At 183-7 and needing only one run to win, Hurst seemed certain to come out on top, but in an extraordinary turn of events Ascot took the final three wickets without a run being scored – with the last a run out completed by Andy English – to snatch a stunning victory.

Hurst travel to Beaconsfield this Saturday (1pm).

Wargrave could not quite manage to bowl Slough 2nds out as they earned the better of a draw.

Batting first, Wargrave opener Imran Malik (111) scored a superb century, and was ably aided by Neal Robinson (70) as the hosts ended their innings on 241-6.

Wargrave made early inroads with Huw Thomas (3-33) picking up early wickets to leave Slough struggling at 27-3.

However, a century stand between Mohammad Avas (49) and Naveed Akhtar (72) saw the visitors into a safer position, and despite picking up a few more wickets Slough refused to be bowled out as they ended their innings on 213-8.

Wargrave travel to Royal Ascot this Saturday (1pm).

Kidmore End suffered a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of North Maidenhead in Division 2a.

Although a lot of the visitors’ batsmen got starts, nobody managed to push on thanks to an incredible spell of bowling from Sahaan John (9-66) which saw Kidmore bowled out for 184.

Saeed Bukhari (134no) played a superb innings for North Maidenhead, opening the batting and made sure Kidmore were never in with a sniff, seeing North Maidenhead reach their target in just the 32nd over.

Kidmore End host Chesham 2nds this Saturday (1pm).

Purley-on-Thames were lost to Aldershot by 67 runs in Division 3a.

A superb spell from Caleb Maycock (6-38) saw Aldershot in a spot of bother, but Faisal Abbas (73) took advantage of his luck, being dropped three times early on to take Aldershot to 178 all out.

The Potters seemed in control of the game, thanks to a good opening stand between Pat Allen (33) and Max Baker-Smith (43), but they collapsed from 100-2 to 111 all out as Vineet Sinha (7-26) continued his fine form by bowling a spell which included four wickets in four balls.

Purley-on-Thames host Finchampstead 3rds this Saturday (1pm).

Sonning lost by one run to Finchampstead 3rds to fall from top to second. Having bowled Finch out for 176 they would have fancied their chances, but despite Zahid Mohammed’s (71) best efforts, Sonning were dismissed for 175 themselves.

Sonning are at home to Cove 2nds on Saturday (1pm).

Theale and Tilehurst are still only one place above the relegation zone in Division 4b as they lost heavily to Wokingham 2nds by 113 runs.

Simon Carter (89) top scored for the Oaks as they scored 229, with Andy Turner (5-49) leading the bowling performance for T&T.

However, they got off to a poor start in reply and never recovered as they were knocked over for 112.

In Division 5b, Sonning 2nds were more successful, thrashing Bracknell by 130 runs.

Mark Richards (99) led the way as Sonning accumulated 243-8. Bracknell showed little resistance in reply, and were rolled over for just 113 in 29 overs.

Third-placed Wokingham 3rds remain well and truly in the Division 6b promotion race following a six-wicket success at home to Hurst 2nds.

The visitors batted first, and despite 44 from Jack Wrigley, were bowled out for 162.

In reply Wokingham knocked the score off with ease in 35 overs, with Markus Viljoen (67 not out) and Ross Bonnell (35 not out) seeing them across the line.

Wargrave 2nds lost by six wickets to Purley-on-Thames 2nds but remain top-of-the-table and on course for promotion.

Useful contributions from Razwan Hanif (47) and John Rimmer (72) saw Wargrave to a very competitive 239-6.

The visitors seemed to be slightly on top with Purley slumping to 108-4, but George Clarke (84no), batting at number six, played a superb innings in quick time and was supported well by James Denton (41no) to see Purley home in the 46th over.

Theale and Tilehurst 2nds were also subject to a heavy defeat, as Royal Ascot 3rds beat them by 103 runs.

After Ascot scored a competitive 208, T&T could not deal with the bowling of Theo Housegood (5-34) as they were skittled for 101.

Kidmore End 2nds gained a measure of revenge for the club as they thrashed North Maidenhead 3rds by 133 runs in Division 7a.

Opener Mark New (128) led Kidmore’s batting performance, with a half century from Will Patey (54no) helping them to 253-4 declared.

Azhar Udeen (5-32) led the attack for Kidmore as North Maids folded for just 120.

Theale and Tilehurst 3rds lost by 87 runs to Bracknell 2nds to make it a clean sweep of losses for the club.

After Bracknell had declared on 246-3, Akmal Sultan (5-23) ripped through the Theale and Tilehurst 3rds batting line up as they were bowled out for 159.

Sonning 3rds could only manage a draw against Wokingham 4ths in Division 8a. Bubu Thava (102) saw Sonning post 273-6, but they could not bowl their opposition out as they Wokingham ended on 156-8.

In Division 9a, Wargrave 3rds lost by seven wickets to Boyne Hill 4ths.

Usman Alam (5-20) did the damage as Wargrave were shot out for just 84, and Boyne Hill knocked the runs off with relative ease in the 21st over.

Kidmore End 3rds (88) won a low-scoring game against Maidenhead and Bray 4ths (81) by seven runs.