WOKINGHAM CC played out an exciting draw with fellow mid-table side Falkland in their Thames Valley League Division One clash on Saturday, writes Oscar Beardmore-Gray.

Batting first, Falkland racked up 236-9 off 52 overs, former Hampshire man Hamza Riazuddin holding the innings together with 74.

Cameron Spence (3-63) and Paul Dewick (4-65) bowled well but Wokingham would still require a strong batting performance to avoid defeat.

The Oaks’ middle order did what was necessary, Riazuddin’s former county colleague Michael Bates (44), Stuart Hayter (27) and Daniel Reddyhough (43) all digging in to ensure Wokingham escaped with a draw.

Daminda Kolugula picked up 4-42 but Falkland were left frustrated as the hosts survived, finishing on 227-9.

Wokingham will hope to return to winning ways as they take on Boyne Hill next week.

Wokingham 2nds extended their unbeaten run in Division 4b and remain top of the league following a thrilling 17-run win, but they were given a real scare by Farnham Royal.

Wokingham must have felt a first league defeat was on the cards when they were skittled out for just 102, although it could have been worse without David Bishop’s unbeaten 26 from number nine.

However, Raul Patel’s superb bowling figures of 8-24 in 17.5 overs saw Farnham bowled out for 85, giving Wokingham a dramatic victory. They had reduced Farnham to 37-7, but an eighth-wicket partnership of 31 made things interesting. However, the lower order could not deny the brilliance of Patel, who wrapped up proceedings by dismissing Ben Nicholas.

In Division 6b, Wokingham 3rds fell to a disappointing 68-run defeat to Royal Ascot 3rds.

Winning the toss Ascot piled on the runs, scoring 248-8 declared with impressive batting from Jack Lunghusen (70) and Dirk Benneyworth (57).

And despite Cameron Gillespie’s 58, Wokingham were all out for 180.

Wokingham 4ths finished on the wrong side of a low-scoring thriller at the top of Division 8a against Datchet 4ths, losing by two runs.

The Oaks were on track for victory after Buddy Dias’ 6-24 helped bowl out Datchet for 96, but a major collapse gave Datchet the win.

To cap off a rather disappointing week for the club, Wokingham 5ths lost by two wickets to Boyne Hill 4ths in Division 9a.

Having been put in to bat, the Oaks could only muster 135 in total, but they made Boyne Hill work for their victory as Tony Kelmsey took 3-18.