Openers Lewis Smith (24) and Alex Kayser (33) shared 62 for the first wicket for Hurst, but they needed a fine knock from Abhinav Singh (38*) to help them post a seemingly underpar 157-8 after a collapse.

Meanwhile Neal Robinson (3-26), Euan Woods (2-6) and Huw Thomas (2-43) starred with the ball for the hosts.

Wargrave knew that only a win would realistically keep their title challenge alive, but with the exception of Euan Woods (52), they struggled in reply and were restricted to 145-8, with Andrew Ruddock, Andrew Cording and Nick Reynolds all picking up two wickets.

Kidmore End kept their Division One survival hopes alive with a tense three-wicket win at home to Beaconsfield.

The visitors scored 178-6, before Jeff Sheldon (60) and Guy Ashby (54*) edged Kidmore over the line for a vital triumph.

However they remain 14 points adrift of safety and will need to beat Wokingham on Saturday to stay up.

Reading 2nds’ Division 3b promotion hopes were ended as they fell to an eight-wicket win against title favourites O.M.T at Sonning Lane.

The hosts were bowled out for just 144, and O.M.T. knocked the runs off with ease.

Hurst 2nds were blown away by 195 runs as the Division 5a side’s relegation was confirmed against league leaders Stoke Green 2nds.

The visitors racked up 246-4 before declaring after 45 overs, and Gheyas Khan (9-18) then produced an amazing spell which included a hat-trick as Hurst were routed for just 51.

Reading 3rds were bowled out for just 114 en route to a six wicket defeat against Kew 3rds in Division 5b.

Kidmore End 2nds were relegated from Division 6b after losing by five wickets to Cove 3rds.

The End were rooted out for just 124, and although Rufus Emmanuel and Paul Lawson took two wickets apiece, Cove eased to the win.

Wargrave 2nds remain in title contention in Division 7a after a comfortable seven-wicket win against North Maidenhead 3rds.

Scott Walker (6-18) helped shoot out Maids for just 113, and Wargrave cruised home in less than 20 overs to close the gap on leaders Chiswick & Latymer 3rds to just six points.

Theale & Tilehurst 3rds were thrashed by eight wickets by Finchampstead 4ths after being bowled out for just 77.

Reading 4ths pulled off an amazing one-wicket win at Finchampstead 5ths in Division 8a.

Harmeet Sidhu (3-30) and Jack Wright (3-32) helped restrict the hosts to 186-9 in their 47 overs.

And in reply, Jake Foster’s 47 put Reading on course before Sidhu held his nerve with a wonderful unbeaten 38 to seal success for his side.

In Division 8b, Kidmore End 3rds were skittled for just 85 and suffered an eight-wicket hammering by Cookham Dean 3rds, confirming their relegation.