Turner won the toss and elected to bat on an inviting track, but a flurry of early wickets left the hosts on 42-4.

However, Stuart Hayter (76) entered the fray and played a magnificent innings to give the Oaks something to defend. His knock included 11 fours as he put on a parternship of 71 with Simon Myles (40) to regain control as Oaks recovered from their poor start to make 202 all out from 48.2 overs.

But it was a poor start from the hosts as Yateley made their way to 68-1 with opener James Muir (58) looking solid for the visitors.

A few wickets fell in quick succession to give Wokingham hope and the game was evenly balanced when Martin Wilson (1-28) clean bowled Muir to leave Yateley on 132-5.

The game then swung heavily in the favour of the hosts as Jono Fowler (5-60) delivered for Wokingham as he took three wickets for just three runs to move the Oaks into command.

But in a match that swung back and forth, Yateley fought back as Miles Covers (23) and Stuart Lipo (28) put on a ninth-wicket partnership of 47 runs to move Yateley within 19 runs of victory.

Lipo was trapped leg before by Myles (2-43) and the game was in the balance when Yateley edged closer towards victory, just eight runs shy of their target.

But in a fitting end, Fowler sealed victory for Wokingham as he clean bowled Covers to spark celebrations as the home side moved level with Kew at the top of the table.

And Turner was delighted with the character his side had showed, due to not every player being at his best on the day.

“It was a tough game against a very good side,” said the Oaks skipper. “But we kept believing until the very end and finally we got there.

“Eight runs is a small margin of victory but it was close throughout the game and we showed great character to get over the line.

“It is important to win the games where you’re not always at your best, and we did that.

“We tend to always have one or two that step up when we need it and that was the case with Jono Fowler with the ball and Stuart Hayter with the bat.”

Wokingham travel to Kew this Saturday in a top of the table clash that could go a long way to deciding who finishes top of the league.

Turner believes it will be a tough match, but one his side can come through. “It’s always an intimidating game there,” he added. “We gave them a bit of a hammering at home earlier this season so I’m sure they’ll want to rectify that.

“This league is a funny league and anyone from down the bottom can beat the top teams so despite this being a crucial game, I don’t think it’ll mean you’ve won the league if you win this game.

“We’re looking forward to it, it’s always a good game there and hopefully we can come out on top.”

Wokingham 2nds sealed a tense one-wicket win at Falkland 2nds in Thames Valley League Division 3a.

The hosts won the toss and set a solid total of 273-7 with Daminda Kolugula (114) and James Bird (84) helping Falkland to an impressive score.

But Wokingham were brilliant in their chase as Jack Fisher (87) led the charge with a superb innings as the visitors reached their target with one wicket remaining.

The win leaves the Oaks 2nds in second-place in Division 3a and they host Wargrave at Sadler’s End this Saturday (1.30pm).

Hurst extended their lead at the top of the division with a 88 run thrashing of Theale & Tilehurst.

Greg Smith made a fabulous 109 not out to help the table-toppers post 228-7, before spinner Phil Higgs took 6-28 to skittle Theale for just 140.

Wokingham 3rds had to settle for a draw at Maidenhead & Bray 2nds on Saturday in Thames Valley League Division 5b.

The hosts hit 254-6 from their 52 overs, whilst Wokingham - who were never going to reach the target after a slow start - finished on 203-7 from their 48 overs.

The result leaves Wokingham third in the table, with a home clash against Farnham Common on Saturday (1.30pm).

In Division 5a, Hurst 2nds slipped to a seven wicket defeat against Chiswick & Latymer 2nds.

Ian Harvey made 65 as Hurst posted a competitive 212-7.

But the London-based side chased the runs down in quick order.