Warren ton could prove decisive

SAM WARREN’S century put Wargrave 3s one step closer to clinching promotion from Division 8a.

Sitting second, five points clear of third, Wargrave are now just three games away from sealing a top two spot after sweeping aside strugglers Datchet 4s.

Batting first, Warren shone with 129, while James Newton added 59 and Joe Warren 30 to contribute to an innings score of 259-5.

It then just required some solid bowling to ensure victory and that came in the shape of Scott Walker (4-19) and Kevin Rapley (3-33) to dismiss Datchet for 131, 128 runs short. SONNING 3s suffered an 11th defeat of the season, going down by 159 runs at Boyne Hill 4s.

Shabin Rana scored a half century 55, but chasing 281 for victory, rock-bottom Sonning were all out for 121 after 24 overs.

Up in 6b, FINCHAMPSTEAD 4s jumped to fourth, despite losing at Bradfield.

The weather meant the Adjusted Run Rate (ARR) method was required with Bradfield’s score

of 149-3 enough for victory after Finches posted a tally of 212-7 with Ben Fisher (88) and Billy Oliver (31) top scoring.

BINFIELD 2s stay second following a six-wicket win at Theale and Tilehurst 2s.

Tim Vines was the leading Binfield man, scoring 82 not out to guide his side to their required total of 185 for victory.

HURST 2s conceded their clash with unbeaten leaders Taplow 2s.

In 7a, EVERSLEY 3s’ position became increasingly perilous after defeat to Kidmore End 2s.

The Boars sit second-frombottom of the table, 37 points from safety with now just three games to play.

Batting first, fine scores from Mathew Salter (85) and Gerard Soames (70) looked to have put Eversley in a good position at 245-6 at close.

But the hosts made light work of the challenge, cruising to a ninewicket win with opener Mark New scoring an unbeaten century.

WOKINGHAM 4s sit sixth after beating Theale and Tilehurst 3s by 32 runs.

Hasanain Ghafoor (71), Martin Wilson (31) and Dan Heath (30) top scored for the Oaks as they set an unbeatable target of 213. FINCHAMPSTEAD 5s held onto top spot in 9a with a 64-run win at EVERSLEY 4s.

Joe Sheldon’s unbeaten knock of 106 set Finches on their way while Simon Eldridge (33) and Jamie Bunton (38) also scored well in an innings which ended 230-5.

Tom Tinsley (3-27) was the pick of the Finch bowlers in reply and despite good knocks from Bob Campion (32), Robin Brooks (37) and Tony Critchley (35no), Eversley fell well short.

WOKINGHAM 5s occupy the other promotion spot, strengthening their grip with a thumping 188-run win at Maidenhead and Bray 4s.

The Oaks batted first and were led by a score of 125 from Ranjeet Sidhu, supported by 31 from Chris Gara as they closed on 231-7.

And with Mark James (5-18) and Hazel Wilkinson (3-24) in form with the ball, Maidenhead were skittled out for 43 in reply.