FINCHAMPSTEAD 2nds dropped to seventh in the Division 2b table after losing by six wickets at home to Reading, writes Richard Ashton.

The hosts won the toss and elected to bat, but with Jack Beaven (5-51) in top form, they crashed to 42-5 and then 62-7.

Ollie Armstrong-Wood top scored with 26 batting at number nine, but Finch were eventually bowled out for just 106.

Reading lost Sanjit Jheeta for a duck, but Beaven (30no) completed a fine individual performance to lead his side to 107-4 in 21.1 overs.

Reading host second-placed Beaconsfield on Saturday.

Hurst (61-1) returned to winning ways and the top of the table with a nine-wicket thrashing of basement boys Aldershot (60).

The leaders are at home to Finchampstead 2nds this coming Saturday.

In Division One, Wargrave slipped into the bottom two after having the worst of their draw at home to basement side Hayes.

Mark Firth took 4-76 from his 16 overs as Hayes declared on 267-6 after 49 overs, and despite useful knocks from Imran Malik (48), Mandip Sohi (46) and Ashera Mahavidanalage (45), the hosts could only reach 234-9 in reply.

Wargrave visit Stoke Green on Saturday.

Kidmore End (125) dropped back to the foot of the Division 2a table after an eight-wicket defeat at Ickenham (125-2).

Kidmore End are at home to Amersham 2nds on Saturday.

In Division 3a, Wokingham 2nds’ game at Sulhamstead was abandoned as heavy rain during the week meant a wicket could not be prepared, with the same fate suffered by Purley on Thames at Falkland 2nds.

Sulhamstead visit leaders Binfield this Saturday, while Purley on Thames are at home to Finchampstead 3rds.

In Division 4a, Peter Dean struck a brilliant 104 for Sonning as they beat Reading 2nds by 90 runs.

Australian Aaron Crofts (57no) and opener Duncan Parr (54) were also among the runs as the visitors declared on 268-2 after 49 overs.

Khurram Mahmood top scored with 49, but with Crofts (3-25) completing a fine all-round siplay, Reading were bowled out for 178.

Sonning are at home to White Waltham in a top-of-the-table clash this Saturday.

Youngster Taran Sohi made 47 to help Wargrave 2nds to a 63-run success at Theale & Tilehurst.

James Bozarth (4-39) and Brian Cooper (3-38) helped restrict the visitors to 176, but Martin Smith (3-21) and Charlie Moss (3-29) did the damage to dismiss T&T for 113.

Theale & Tilehurst visit Newbury this Saturday.

In Division 6b, table-toppers Bradfield eased to a seven-wicket victory at home to Reading 3rds.

Richard Moolman took 5-23 from 17.1 overs as Reading were bowled out for 114, and after Ben Hardy (52) and Tim Smith (42) put on 93 for the first wicket, the hosts reached 115-3 in 27.2 overs.

Bradfield visit Cove 3rds on Saturday.

Hurst 2nds (163) moved up to fourth after beating Theale & Tilehurst 2nds (87) by 76 runs, but Finchampstead 4ths (120) suffered a disappointing afternoon as they went down by 110 runs at Purley on Thames 2nds (230-6 declared off 43 overs).

Openers Tejpal Singh (81) and James Denton (59) were both in form for the Potters, with Sam Woodhouse then taking 5-30 to seal the victory.

Andrew McEwan top scored with 72 as Sulhamstead 2nds (200-8) had the better of their draw at Sonning 2nds (184-9), Mark Richards cracking 77 for the home side.

Kidmore End 2nds trounced Maidenhead & Bray 3rds by 10 wickets in a remarkable Division 7a game at The Hamlet.

Azhar Udeen took 6-8 from nine overs as Maids were shot out for just 25, and Kidmore knocked the runs off in five overs to secure a resounding success.

Wargrave 3rds were bowled out for 188, but their game against Aldershot 3rds was abandoned with the hosts 34-2 in reply.

Jamie Farrow’s 63 helped second-placed Bradfield 2nds (154-8) beat Boyne Hill 4ths (128) by 26 runs in Division 8a, but the game between Wokingham 5ths and Theale & Tilehurst 3rds was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

In Division 9a, Wokingham Oaks & Acorns (117) lost by 87 runs to Reading 4ths (204-1), with Nat Narayanasamy (69no) and Josh Sidhu (70no) in fine form for the hosts.

Wazir Khan (79no) and Syed Naqvi (50) led Sonning 3rds (227-4) to a 115-run success against Yateley 2nds (112).

Ruth Payne took 5-24 for Wargrave 4ths (53), but they lost by 117 runs to Maidenhead & Bray 4ths (170), while Kidmore End 3rds (107-9) edged past Newbury 3rds (92) by 15 runs.