WOKINGHAM 3rds took a huge step towards winning the Division 5b title after edging to a dramatic two-run victory in their top-of-the-table clash at home to Wargrave 2nds, writes Richard Ashton.

The home side started well after winning the toss, with openers Rahul Patel and Craig Rintoul (51) putting on 88 before the latter fell to Hareesh Reddy.

Patel eventually fell for 56, but useful contributions throughout the remainder of the innings enabled the Oaks to post 195-9 from their 45 overs.

Wargrave appeared well set on 120-2 off the back of good knocks from opener Dan Ormrod (55) and Kieran Lall (43), but they failed to maintain their momentum and could eventually only reach 193-9.

Sonning 2nds were relegated after a five-wicket defeat at home to Purley on Thames 2nds.

Jagz Beniwal’s 68 helped the hosts post 218-8 as Raj Seniappan (3-40) and Cyril Cox (3-46) impressed with the ball.

That total proved insufficient, however, as Tejpal Singh hammered a stunning 108 not out to lead the Potters home with 16 balls to spare.

In Division 2a, Kidmore End stunned table-topping Hayes by one wicket in a thriller.

Azhar Udeen (3-55), Jeff Sheldon (2-22), skipper James Frost (2-31) and spinner Guy Ashby (2-34) were all among the wickets as the visitors were bowled out for 189, and half centuries from Zac Leonard (57) and Frost (50) helped Kidmore recover from 41-4 to eventually sneak home with 15 balls in hand.

Kidmore End visit Amersham 2nds on Saturday (12.30pm).

Relegation-threatened Hurst are just a point above the Division 2b drop zone after they lost by 25 runs at Beaconsfield.

The home side totalled 255, but despite 44 from Phil Higgs, Hurst could only reach 230-8 in the chase, former Berkshire off spinner Harry Stephens taking 4-27.

Hurst are at home to Wargrave this Saturday.

Second-placed Wargrave edged to a three-wicket victory at home to Aldershot.

Mandip Sohi (4-29), skipper Neal Robinson (3-8) and left-arm spinner Mark Firth (2-28) all bowled well as Aldershot were dismissed for 148, and the home side reached their target in 36.2 overs.

Purley on Thames kept their outside Division 3a promotion hopes alive by stunning leaders High Wycombe 3rds by 19 runs.

Tom Bale (61) and Richard Sanford (56) led the way as the Potters reached 268, and Amit Rawal’s 3-43 then proved key in restricting the table-toppers to 249-8 in reply.

Purley on Thames host Wooburn Narkovians on Saturday.

Sonning are on the brink of relegation from Division 3b after they lost by 88 runs at champions Ickenham.

Jacob Fitton (4-64) and Ghulam Abbas (3-16) did their best with the ball as Ickenham racked up 304-9, and despite Abbas making an unbeaten 77, Sonning could only reach 216-8 in reply.

Sonning must beat Kew 2nds at home on Saturday to keep their survival bid alive.

In Division 4a, second-placed Sulhamstead cruised past Henley 3rds by nine wickets.

Sanjay Dove took 6-23 as Henley were skittled for 107, and sensible knocks from Tim Benham (51no) and Phil Walden (44) saw Sully cruise home in 18.4 overs.

Sulhamstead face a key game at home to third-placed Boyne Hill 2nds this coming Saturday.

Theale & Tilehurst were crushed by nine wickets at home to champions Binfield.

Tom Andrews (4-8 from eight overs) led the way, with useful support from Wynand Lamprecht (2-0), Matt Hayman (2-19) and Nathan Warwick (2-26) helping dismiss the hosts for just 76.

Binfield then raced to 78-1 in just 12.1 overs.

Theale & Tilehurst visit Newbury on Saturday.

Bradfield’s Division 6b promotion hopes took a huge hit as they lost by four wickets to Cove 3rds.

Will Nevill top scored with 59 as Bradfield were bowled out for 169, and Cove reached 173-6 in 41.5 overs.

Bradfield visit Burnham 4ths on Saturday.

Tom Hibbs (45) and Phil Wiggins (3-31) performed admirably for Hurst 2nds (117), but they lost to Theale & Tilehurst 2nds (121-3) by seven wickets.

Rob Dimmack took 4-31 to do the bulk of the damage for T&T.

Rory Elliot’s unbeaten 56 was not enough for Kidmore End 2nds (174-8), but they went down by eight wickets to Newbury 2nds (176-2) in Division 7a.

Already-relegated Theale & Tilehurst 3rds (193-9) almost pulled off a huge shock off the back of Khadim Aslam’s 57, but they eventually fell 10 runs short of second-placed Fleet 2nds’ total of 203-8.

Sulhamstead 2nds (176-6) stayed third after beating Yateley 2nds (172) by four wickets.

In Division 8a, Wargrave 3rds (161-5 off 38.2 overs) dropped to third after a 10-run defeat to Thatcham Town 3rds (171), although this result is currently under investigation by the league.

Sonning 3rds conceded their game against Bagshot 3rds.

Bracknell 2nds climbed to second after they beat Bradfield 2nds by 22 runs.

Karthik Ramanujam top scored with 66 as Bracknell scored 185-9 in their 40 overs, and tight bowling throughout meant the hosts could only make it to 163-5 in reply.

Jack Butler made 58 for Kidmore End 3rds (109), but they lost by 87 runs to Maidenhead & Bray 4ths (196-8) in Division 9a.