PURLEY ON THAMES returned to winning ways with a 104-run Division 3a triumph at home to Finchampstead 3rds, writes Richard Ashton.

Sam Taylor recorded fine figures of 7-72 for the visitors, but Patrick Allen’s 93 guided the Potters to 203 and that proved too many for Finch, who were shot out for only 99.

Purley on Thames are at home to second bottom Newbury on Saturday (1pm).

A wonderful spell from John Macdonald (6-63) and useful knocks from captain Craig Beales (55no) and Cameron Spence (52) earned Wokingham 2nds (212-4) a six-wicket win at leaders Wargrave (210).

Kidmore End ended their two-match losing streak and climbed to second in the Division 2a table with a facile eight-wicket win at home to Bagshot.

Captain James Frost (4-17), Guy Ashby (3-13) and Jeff Sheldon (3-28) were the principle destroyers for Kidmore, and Ashby went on to claim man-of-the-match honours with an unbeaten 53 from 70 deliveries.

Kidmore End – seven points behind leaders Kew – host rock bottom Harefield 2nds this coming Saturday (1pm).

Usman Ijaz took 3-50 to help third-placed Hurst (207-8) seal a dramatic final-ball two-wicket victory at High Wycombe 2nds (205-7) in Division 2b.

Hurst are at home to Yateley this coming Saturday (1pm).

Sonning remain marooned at the foot of the Division 2b table after losing by five wickets at Yateley.

Anthony Muir was in fine form for the home side as he claimed 5-15, and it was only 51 from Indeveer Sahota which got Sonning to 143.

Zahid Mohammed reduced Yateley to 14-2, but Harry Maxfield’s 66 from 73 balls broke the back of the run chase until he became Mohammed’s (3-35) third victim. Raja Rafaqat chipped in with 2-42, but the hosts eased home in 31.4 overs.

Sonning travel to Burnham 2nds on Saturday (1pm).

In Division 4b, Theale & Tilehurst kept their promotion hopes alive by having the better of a draw with leaders Farnham Royal.

Ash Misra top scored with 98 as T&T totalled 242-7, but despite Michael Holder’s 5-18, they could not force the win as Royal closed on 188-8.

Third-placed Theale & Tilehurst face travel to Wooburn Narkovians – the team one position above them in the table – on Saturday (1pm).

Wokingham 3rds were forced to hang on for a draw at home to Wargrave 2nds in Division 5b.

Cameron Gillespie (3-92) was the pick of the Oaks’ attack as they were put around the park, conceding 303-8 before the home side declared after 49 overs.

Wokingham battled valiantly, though, and Harry Staples’ knock of 50 did much to guide them to safety on 184-7.

Mohammed Atif took 4-28 to inspire Sonning 2nds (98-5) to a five-wicket triumph at home to Hurst 2nds. Tim Everitt took 4-48 for the beaten side.

Tejpal Singh’s brilliant 128 not out inspired Purley on Thames 2nds (238-3) to a seven-wicket success at Finchampstead 4ths. Mac Keast earlier made an unbeaten 124 before Finch declared on 236-4 in 48 overs.

In Division 7a, Bracknell 2nds (81) lost by eight wickets to Kidmore End 2nds (83-2) after Azhar Udeen ripped through their batting line-up with figures of 7-30.

Wokingham 4ths (106) were edged out by two wickets at Theale & Tilehurst 2nds (110-8) in a low-scoring thriller.

John Dunnett (45) was the only Royal Ascot 4ths player (86) to make double figures in their four-wicket Division 8a defeat to Theale & Tilehurst 3rds. Rob Phillips took 3-22 for Ascot.

Gary Phillips top scored with 62 as Sonning 3rds (163-9) drew with Hayes 4ths (218-8).

In Division 9a, Wargrave 3rds (215-7) drew with Cookham Dean 4ths (133-9), while Kidmore End 3rds (141-6) defeated Cove 5ths (140) by four wickets.