HURST moved up to fourth in Division 2b after they pulled off a nerve-jangling three-wicket win at Sonning, writes Richard Ashton.

The hosts made a poor start as openers Peter Dean and Duncan Parr (both four) fell to Andrew Cording and Floyd Na Nagara respectively.

In-form Jason Pennisi was also dismissed cheaply by Cording (2-32), while Na Nagara (4-41) ran through the middle order.

A useful ninth-wicket stand between Indeveer Sahota (41) and Raja Rafaqat (40no) helped, but with Alex Kayser ending with 3-52 from 15 overs, Sonning were dismissed for 174.

Kayser (30) and Sam Hawkes gave Hurst a solid platform, before both fell to Zahid Mohammed (2-38 off 18.5 overs).

With fellow spinner Pennisi (4-99 off 17) also bowling a marathon spell, the basement boys put themselves in with a chance for victory, only for a series of dropped catches to allow Usman Ijaz to make an unbeaten 50 and steer his side to victory.

Hurst host High Wycombe 2nds in the last of the first round of fixtures on Saturday (1pm).

Kidmore End were beaten for the second week in a row as they fell to a seven-wicket defeat at a Sahaan John-inspired North Maidenhead in Division 2a.

Guy Ashby (46) top scored for the visitors and Jake Leach and Duncan Grant both made 40 as they were restricted to 223-9 in their 52 overs, John the stand-out bowler with figures of 4-78.

Calem Taylor (2-55) made an early breakthrough and despite Saeed Bukhari’s run-a-ball 50, the game appeared to be in the balance as Maids reached 81-3.

However, that was as good as it got for Kidmore, with Imran Butt (63no) and John (71no from 65 balls) sharing an unbeaten and match-winning stand of 143 to take their side to 224-3 and victory.

Despite the defeat, Kidmore End – who entertain Bagshot on Saturday (1pm) – moved up to third after former leaders Windsor were docked 65 points for playing an ineligible player on three occasions.

A depleted Purley on Thames battled to secure a draw at Fleet in Division 3a.

Captain David Gurney led from the front for the home side, making an unbeaten 100 to lead his team to 249-4 before they declared after 46 overs.

Tim Downes chipped in with 68 while Rahu Thava (2-40) was the pick of the Potters’ attack.

Stand-in Purley skipper Robbie Jeffrey top scored with 60 after pushing himself up to open the innings and they reached safety on 174-4, Will Detheridge finishing with 44 not out.

Purley on Thames are home to Finchampstead 3rds this coming Saturday, while Wargrave return to action at home to Wokingham 2nds (1pm). They did not have a game on Saturday following Yateley 2nds’ withdrawal from the league.

Theale & Tilehurst dropped to fourth in the Division 4b table after their 48-run home defeat to Amersham 3rds.

Simon Bond’s 5-34 proved key in Amersham being held to 208-9, but a shocking top-order collapse left T&T up against things.

Jack Springgay (43) and Rob Dimmack (45) – batting at seven and eight – gave the home side hope, but they were eventually bowled out for 160.

Theale & Tilehurst visit Farnham Royal on Saturday (1pm).

Mandip Sohi blasted an incredible 156 and shard in an opening stand of 226 as Wargrave 2nds annihilated Slough 4ths by 169 runs.

Fellow opener Kam Hanif (84) also enjoyed himself as the home side declared on 327-4 after just 39 overs, and Scott Morton’s 3-26 ushered Slough along to being dismissed for 158.

In Division 6b, Finchampstead 4ths beat Hurst 2nds by two wickets in a thriller.

Tom Hibbs top scored with 47 as Hurst were bowled out for 186, Michael Simmonite taking 3-23 in his 11 overs.

Richard Reed top scored with 45 for Finch, but Ian Harvey (4-35 from 16 overs) looked to be turning the game on its head, only for Finch to hold their nerve and reach 189-8.

Chris Rackley made a superb 89 for Purley on Thames 2nds as they edged out Yateley 3rds by nine runs in a cracker.

The Potters were bowled out for 186, but a magnificent spell from Raj Senniappan (8-42) saw Yateley fall just short on 177.

Table-topping Sonning 2nds cruised to a convincing nine-wicket success at Aldershot 3rds.

Mohammed Atif was the pick of the attack as Aldershot were bowled out for 190, and fine knocks from Rehan Akram (87no) and Hosnein Akram (69no) helped Sonning race to victory in just 19.1 overs.

Mohammed Jamil produced a fine all-round display to help leaders Theale & Tilehurst 2nds get the better of Kidmore End 2nds by four wickets in Division 7a.

He took 4-61, and aided by Brian Copper (4-67), Kidmore were knocked over for 208, Andrew Thomsen top scoring with 66.

After Paul Robinson departed for 57, Jamil ended unbeaten on 41 as his side reached 210-6, Thomsen the stand-out bowler with 4-60 from 17 overs.

In Division 8a, Theale & Tilehurst 3rds defeated Reading 4ths by 101 runs.

The visitors declared at 252-4 after 43 overs with Inram Mahmood making 101 and Sachin Rane 63.

Reading could only make 144, with Dander Sing top scorer with 30 while young Kishore Naha made 24 to follow up his 2-30. Josh Castle bagged 4-22 for T&T.

Sonning 3rds held on for a draw at Royal Ascot 4ths.

The hosts totalled 235-7, but Wazir Khan (51) and Paul Shumake (46) led the reply well, Sonning ending on 137-6 from 31 overs before rain arrived.

Stephen Jeffrey made a wonderful 101 not out to help Wargrave 3rds (156-1) thrash Newbury 3rds (155-8) by nine wickets in Division 9a.