BERKSHIRE, Mid Bucks and Chilterns League Championship Division front-runners Harpsden were given a minor scare before securing a three-wicket success against struggling Ballinger Waggoners, writes Richard Ashton.

Opener Andy Thompson top scored with 39 for the hosts, but a superb spell from Jack Brown (6-23), aided by James Paice taking 2-32, ensured Ballinger were bowled out for 143.

The Harpsden reply was built almost exclusively around Australian Blake Hogan-Keogh (82no), and despite Ian Maciver (2-13), Fin Clark (2-33) and Harry Livingstone (2-35) bowling well, the leaders reached 146-7 with more than 15 overs to spare.

Second-placed Holmer Green continued their fine season by earning a narrow two-wicket success at Ley Hill.

Ben Woodbridge top scored with an unbeaten 49 as Hill were bowled out for 178, Jake Gumb (4-43), Cobus Dippenaar (2-31), Kashif Iqbal (2-31) and James Salter (2-39) all impressing with the ball.

Craig Ottaway (4-42) and Lewis Thompson (3-40) gave the hosts hope, but a magnificent century from Iqbal (103) ensured Holmer Green made it to 181-8 in 40 overs.

Checkendon had by far the better of their draw at Braywood.

Manpreet Singh struck a marvellous 106 as Checks reached 246-5 in their 46 overs, Faisal Malik (2-46 from 12 overs) the pick of the Braywood attack.

The hosts lacked a major innings in reply, and eventually were forced to hold on with the score at 165-8 as Singh (3-16), Amol Tyagi (2-26) and Rama Adigantla (2-25) did the damage for Checkendon.

Ruislip Victoria boosted their survival hopes by beating fellow strugglers Peppard Stoke Row by 50 runs.

The hosts batted first and totalled 186 on a difficult pitch, spinners Dion Sampson (3-41) and Max Baker-Smith (3-47) finishing off the innings after Sam Fooks had taken 2-29 in his opening 11 overs.

PSR lost two early wickets in reply, and despite the best efforts of Tom Macdonald (57), they were eventually bowled out for 136.

Zafran Akhtar was the pick of the attack with 4-31, and he was well supported by Shair Khan (2-19) and Zahid Siddique (2-43).

Adam Davidson made a brilliant 103 as West Reading had the better of their draw with basement side Penn & Tylers Green.

John Cockroft's 6-57 and 2-45 from Toby Radford helped Penn dismiss Wests for 232, but despite Cockroft (90) and Andy Francis (60) producing a fine opening stand, they could only reach 211-4 in reply.

Inshaf Akram (3-21) was the stand-out performer for the home side.