Housego’s ton keeps Oaks top
Gerrards Cross (271-10) Wokingham (274-4)
DAN HOUSEGO smashed an unbeaten century as Wokingham made it four wins on the spin with victory at Gerrards Cross.
The Oaks have soared to the top of Thames Valley Division 1 and they preserved their spot with a big chase against their fellow title challengers.
Jacob Clark led the bowling with figures of 4-49 as Wokingham eventually bowled out Gerrards Cross for 271, but it was the batsmen who really shone.
As well as Housego’s 113 not out, both Archie Carter (60) and Michael Bates (51) also made half centuries to seal a big six-wicket win.
Having lost the toss, Wokingham got off to the perfect start in Buckinghamshire.
Clark and Lewis Sharp picked up an early wicket each to remove both openers and leave Gerrards Cross 17-2.
But number three Daniel Hampton proved unstoppable, producing a stunning innings with the bat.
Hampton hit 11 fours and 12 sixes in his knock of 168 off 131 balls to really motor the home side.
However, everyone fell around him. James Hammerton offered some resistance with 33 to help take the score to 88-3 but the wickets continued to steadily tumble with only one more man reaching double figures.
Clark and Anthony Clapham
(3-77) took the majority of the wickets as Gerrards Cross were dismissed in the 52nd over.
It would have to be a special day with the bat for the Oaks to complete the chase, even more so when both openers Stuart Parsons (29) and Stuart Hayter (1) fell to leave the score at 36-2.
Cue another stand-out performance from batting at three with Housego hitting 113 off 109 balls, including 12 boundaries, for his first century of the campaign.
And unlike Hampton, Housego had plenty of support around him.
From 36-2, Wokingham moved up to 151-3 before Carter fell for 60 and when Bates was clean bowled for 51, the visitors could see the finishing line in sight at 229-4.
With Housego continuing to push on, Jack Wood added an unbeaten 18 of his own to help clinch the 25-point win.
The Oaks stay top of Division 1 and have extended their lead to 12 points ahead of nearest challengers Stoke Green.
Wokingham face fourth-placed Falkland on Saturday in a first of back-to-back home matches at Sadlers End.
WOKINGHAM batting: Parsons 29, Hayter 1, Housego 113no, Carter 60, Bates 51, J. Wood 18no, Clark dnb, T. Wood dnb, Clapham dnb, Dewick dnb, Sharp dnb. Bowling: Sharp 2-43, Clark 4-49, Dewick 0-75, T. Wood 0-23, Clapham 3-77.