EVERSLEY CC moved a step nearer to relegation from Thames Valley League Division One as they slipped to a three-wicket defeat at home to Cookham Dean.

And it was the Boars’ former overseas star Godwill Mamhiyo who put in a match-winning display with the ball to keep Cookham’s title dream alive.

Eversley won the toss and chose to bat, making a solid start as Phil Wise and Ibne Sayed (32) put on 74 for the opening wicket.

The introduction of Shakil Ahmed (4-67) led to an initial flurry of runs as Syed took 14 runs from his opening over, only for the former Pakistan test player to gain his revenge when he bowled the opener.

Mamhiyo then came into the attack and the Zimbabwean and Ahmed were able to exert considerable control, stemming the flow of runs from the Eversley batsmen. 

Wickets fell steadily, with only Wise (71) managing to provide any contribution of any substance, and the Boars were well and truly on the ropes at 136-9.

However, a cautious last-wicket partnership marshalled by Aftab Habib (29no) allowed them to get up to a competitive total of 170, Mamhiyo taking 6-61 and Ahmed claiming 4-67.

With the Cross Green wicket offering some seam movement, two early wickets apiece from Jack Sever (2-41) and Joe Howarth (2-24) left Cookham Dean 51-4 and Eversley strong favourites. 

However, useful contributions from Kurran Mangat (32), 17-year-old Saagar Kanwar (40) and captain Ben Millar- the latter two sharing a crucial 54-run partnership for the seventh wicket – put the visitors back in the contest.

There was still work to be done for the Dean when Kanwar departed with 14 still required, but a couple of edges through the slips for four from Ahmed steadied Cookham’s nerves, before Millar hit the winning runs to finish on an unbeaten 20.

Eversley are now 19 points behind Stoke Green, and face a must-win trip to basement boys Beaconsfield this Saturday (12.30pm).

In Division 4b, Eversley 2nds moved back into the top two despite suffering a disappointing two-wicket defeat at Thatcham Town 2nds.

Matt Martin (50) top scored for the Boars, but the home side scraped over the line to leave Eversley level on 268 points with Theale & Tilehurst.

Third-placed Eversley 3rds fell to a 54-run reverse at Yateley 3rds in Division 7a.

The hosts totalled 232-5, and despite Matt Salter’s 83, Eversley could only reach 178 in reply.

Colin Webb made 53 for Eversley 4ths in Division 8a, but their total of 129 was easily surpassed by Kew 4ths in a nine-wicket reverse.