Earley relegated

EARLEY have been relegated from Berkshire League Division 1 following a final day defeat at West Reading 2s.

Batting first, the visitors got off to a poor start by losing two early wickets, but they recovered thanks to important knocks from Shail Raim (27), Robert Casey (30), Sean Vis (37) and Prasad Gore (23no).

But having been bowled out for 174, it would take some impressive bowling to seal a win and while Dave Mapes (3-36) and Vis (2-29) performed well, Reading clinched a three-wicket win in the 40th over.

Down in Division 2, KNOWL HILL end the campaign in fourth after defeating WOKINGHAM 6s by one wicket.

The Oaks, who finished second from bottom, batted first and closed on 142-7 with Toqir Khalid (45) and Raj Acharya (33) top scoring while Adam Brookman, Nick Harrison and Danny Brookman all taking two wickets.

Knowl made a slow start in reply, stumbling to 59-7 with Andy Bishop (4-29) in fine form, but Alexander Francis (28) and Harrison (37) steadied the ship to seal the victory.

In Division 3, CROWTHORNE AND CROWN WOOD 3s lost by seven wickets against West Reading 4s.

John Cartledge (27) and Vishi Duggina (33) top scored for the Crows in an innings of 152-7, but Reading eased to the win.

EARLEY 2s end the season in fourth, one place below BINFIELD 3s despite beating them by three wickets on the final day.

Binfield’s John Humphrey (49) and Kamal Gupta (48) led the charge as they reached 157-8, but in reply Ali Khan (32), Satish Sabbarapu (26), Camar Mir (23no) and Saket Sinha (22no) doing the damage for Earley.