ROYAL Ascot continued their encouraging start to the Division 2b season with a 39-run win against Yateley, writes Richard Ashton.

Yateley made early inroads after winning the toss and asking the visitors to bat, Anthony Muir (2-40) and Stuart Lipo (2-27) reducing Ascot to 37-4.

However, a 57-run fifth-wicket stand between Oliver Dunnett (36) and Will Ellison redressed the balance and gave the away side a foothold in the game.

And a hard-hitting unbeaten 48-run partnership between Andy Murray (32no from 22 balls) and Andy English (25no from 16) carried Ascot to 163-6 in their 33 overs.

Mike Brown removed John Howells early in the Yateley reply, and Dunnett (3-21) then ripped through the Yateley middle order to leave them 57-4.

Yateley fell further and further behind the required run rate and were eventually restricted to 124-7.

Royal Ascot host Burnham 2nds this coming Saturday (1pm).

In Division 4a, Royal Ascot 2nds climbed to second in the early-season table following a four-wicket success at home to Teddington Town.

John Carr took 4-34 as the visitors were knocked over for 120, and Ascot chased the target down in 30.2 overs.

Bracknell were thrashed by nine wickets at Maidenhead and Bray 2nds in Division 5b.

Karthik Ramanujam (35) top scored for the visitors, but only Ashok Badana (21) also reached double figures as they were skittled for a paltry 93. Matt Armstrong (5-31) was the principle destroyer.

The Maids reply was a straightforward affair thanks to John Hewitt (45no), Bracknell not helping themselves by conceding 26 extras as the hosts knocked the runs off in 32.1 overs.

Bracknell host Wargrave 2nds on Saturday (1pm).

Royal Ascot 3rds (197-7) overcame Yateley 3rds (194) by three wickets in Division 6b, sending them top of the table with two wins and a draw to date.

Akmal Sultan made an unbeaten 51 for Bracknell 2nds (152-6) and then took 3-37 to help them beat North Maidenhead 3rds (133) by 19 runs in Division 7a.

In Division 8a, Royal Ascot 4ths (103-3) drew with Hayes 4ths (183-9), Richard Baker making 56 not out.