HURST moved into second place in Division 2b with a comprehensive 120-run win against Thatcham Town, writes Oscar Beardmore-Gray.

After winning the toss and deciding to bat, Hurst managed 189 in 51.2 overs, Lewis Smith top-scoring with 89.

In reply, Thatcham were blown away for just 69 with Phil Higgs (pictured) capping off a man-of-the-match performance with 8-21.

Hurst travel to High Wycombe 2nds on Saturday (1pm).

Wargrave won their second game on the spin after seeing off Burnham 2nds by 36 runs.

Having slipped to 28-4, Wargrave recovered to 172 all out, mainly due to expert batting from Arslan Yaseen (93) and Alex Woods (30).

In reply, Burnham’s batsmen made starts but could not prevent captain Neal Robinson taking 6-23 as his side ran out comfortable winners.

Wargrave visit Thatcham Town this Saturday.

In Division 2a, Kidmore End thrashed Chenies & Latimer to take them out of the bottom two.

Chenies batted first and painfully limped to 74 all out in 39.3 overs, James Frost (4-29) and Jeff Sheldon (5-33) bowling extremely economically.

The End took only 6.4 overs to knock off the small total, Abid Ul-Wahab teeing off for his 62 not out while Tom Burslem was unbeaten on 12 at the other end as his side won by 10 wickets.

Kidmore End host Eversley this Saturday (1pm).

Sonning won a nail-biting contest at home to Yateley 2nds to remain level on points with Aldershot at the top of Division 3a.

The visitors batted first, making 194-6 off 52 overs – Andy Peace top-scoring with 60 while Zahid Mohammed was the pick of the bowlers taking 2-51.

Sonning started promisingly with an opening stand of 81 between Peter Dean (50) and Duncan Parr (27) but wickets continued to fall and at 151-9 defeat seemed inevitable.

However, a magnificent 49 last-wicket partnership between Raja Rafaqat (44 no) and Steve Hill (3 no) saw their side home by one wicket.

Sonning welcome Newbury to Pound Lane on Saturday (1pm).

In Division 4b, Theale & Tilehurst hammered Chiswick & Whitton 2nds by 142 runs.

Arslan Ahmed (80) and Rob Why (55) were the chief contributors as T&T racked up 215-7, and they then skittled their lowly rivals for just 73.

Theale & Tilehurst visit Stoke Green 2nds on Saturday (1pm).

Wargrave 2nds extended their lead at the top of Division 6b, beating Aldershot 3rds by 101 runs.

Jonathan Colbourne (44) and captain Scott Morton (42no) meant Wargrave reached 163 in 44 overs, and Morton (5-24) and Razwan Hanif (4-8) routed Aldershot out for a poultry 62 in 30 overs.

Purley-on-Thames 2nds are still flying high after beating Boyne Hill 3rds by six wickets in Division 6b.

Sam Seville (3-32) and Sam Jugg (3-25) limited Boyne Hill to 133 all out before Purley’s batsmen knocked off the small target.

The chase was led by skipper James Measham whose 75 not out ensured the Potters took maximum points. Tom Hibbs made 104 for Hurst 2nds (215-3) as they beat Fleet 2nds (163) by 52 runs. Tim Everitt took 5-70 for Hurst.

A wonderful unbeaten century by Mohammed Jamil fired Theale & Tilehurst 2nds to a four-wicket victory at Cove 3rds.

Brian Cooper (4-62) and James Bozarth (3-44) were the pick of the attack as Cove were restricted to 204-8, Colin Smith making 90.

The visitors’ reply was all about Jamil (100no), and he got his side home with six overs to spare.

Kidmore End 2nds were beaten by Maidenhead & Bray 3rds in Division 7a.

Kidmore scored 151 in their 47 overs but will be disappointed after many batsmen got starts but did not go on to make big scores.

After being 53-4 Maidenhead never looked in trouble as they won by six wickets within 32 overs thanks to a 152-run partnership between Harris Junaid (56no) and Brian Dixon (63no).

Micky Mehta made 59 for Theale & Tilehurst 3rds (133-8), but they were soundly beaten by seven wickets by North Maidenhead 3rds. In Division 8a, Sonning 3rds completed a fine five-wicket victory against Bagshot 3rds.

Aamir Tahir (3-5) helped restrict Bagshot to 173 despite an unbeaten 79 from Richard Rowlett.

Sonning then pulled off an impressive chase, opener Naqash Tahir striking 88 before Khalil Rehman (31no) and Jack Mott (21no) saw them over the line to move up to fifth in the league.

Kidmore End 3rds forfeited their match with Cove 5ths to leave themselves second bottom of Division 9a.

Wargrave 3rds conceded their game with Thatcham Town 4ths to leave them mid-table.