ALEX Kayser top scored with 61, but Hurst dropped to fifth in the Division 2b table following a six-wicket loss at Slough 2nds, writes Jacob Potter.

The visitors were knocked over for 162, and despite Phil Higgs taking 4-66, Slough reached their target in 38.1 overs – Ali Ahmed (57) and Danyal Akhtar the principle run-getters.

Hurst visit Burnham 2nds on Saturday (1pm).

Sonning (140) captain Pete Dean made 63 as they were thrashed by 10 wickets at home to Royal Ascot.

The visitors reached their target of 141 inside 29 overs to leave Sonning bottom.

Sonning visit Thatcham Town on Saturday (1pm).

Kidmore End suffered a surprise 72-run defeat to Chesham 2nds in Division 2a.

Brendan O’Donovan proved to be the difference between the two teams as he struck 94 off 140 deliveries in his side’s 221-8.

Kidmore started horrifically and lost two wickets in the opening over. Some slight resilience from Jeff Sheldon – who hit a patient 41 off 105 balls – gave them hope, but Nouman Alsam took impressive figures of 6-64 as Kidmore were bowled out for 149.

Third-placed Kidmore End host Eversley on Saturday (1pm).

Wargrave remain top of Division 3a after they beat Finchampstead 3rds by two wickets.

The visitors reached the target of 179 with five overs to spare, largely thanks to Michael Cowdell’s unbeaten 71.

Wargrave are at home to Newbury this Saturday (1pm).

Purley-on-Thames kept up the pressure on the top two as they beat Falkland 2nds by 128 runs.

Andrew Jackson was the star of the show, with both bat and ball. He hit 102 as Purley posted a total of 215 and then finished with figures of 5-10 as they skittled Falkland for just 87.

Purley on Thames host Chiswick & Whitton on Saturday (1pm).

In Division 4b, Theale & Tilehurst recovered from their defeat last week to beat Marlow 2nds by four wickets.

The visitors were bowled out for 170 with Hammad Ali hitting 90 to give T&T the win.

Theale & Tilehurst are at home to British Airways this coming Saturday (1pm).

Wargrave 2nds stunned Henley 3rds as they won by three wickets in Division 5b.

Youngster Matt Dalrymple scored 101 as Henley were bowled out for 214, Martin Smith (5-60) doing the bulk of the damage for Wargrave.

And in the run chase, JJ Harris hit 110 and Jonathon Colbourne 48 as the hosts ran out winners.

Sonning 2nds remain top of Division 6b after thrashing Farnham Common 2nds by 168 runs.

Rehan Akram did the damage for Sonning, hitting 185 in their impressive total of 284.

Hosnein Akram tthen ook figures of 5-45to dismiss the hosts for 116 and give Sonning the victory.

Purley-on-Thames 2nds thumped Aldershot 3rds by nine wickets to keep the pressure on Sonning at the top of the table.

The hosts were bowled out for just 42 runs, after Raj Senniappan took figures of 4-18 to give Purley an easy target to chase down.

Tejpal Singh and Chris Priestly then saw the visitors home easily.

Tom Hibbs (65) and Kelvin Baillie (56) led the way for Hurst 2nds (264-9 declared in 51 overs) as they thumped Royal Ascot 3rds (159) by 105 runs.

Jake White (6-32) and Ian Harvey (4-23) were superb with the ball for Hurst.

In Division 7a, Kidmore End 2nds drew with North Maidenhead 3rds.

Azhar Udeen top scored with 104 as Kidmore posted 253-8, and he was also the stand-out bowler with 4-53 as they restricted Maids to 207-8 in reply.

The result means Kidmore are now third in the table behind Fleet 2nds, who beat Bracknell 2nds on Saturday.

Theale & Tilehurst 2nds ran out winners against Maidenhead & Bray 3rds by 70 runs. Theale & Tilehurst are now clear at the top of the table and will look to continue their good form against Fleet 2nds.

Sonning 3rds drew their match with Finchampstead 5ths in Division 8a.

Sonning posted a total of 240 with Wazir Khan striking 84 to put them in a commanding position, but Finchampstead were 128-8 with Matt Rowley unbeaten on 53 before stumps were drawn.

Theale & Tilehurst 3rds remain top of the table after they drew with Kew 4ths in a clash with their nearest rivals.

Sachin Rane scored an unbeaten 65 for Theale & Tilehurst as they ended on 160-8 in reply to Kew’s 170.

Wargrave 3rds match against Yateley 4ths in Division 9a was abandoned midway through the visitors’ run chase due to an invasion by a swarm of flying ants.

Wargrave had earlier posted a total of 190, with Martin Woods top scoring with 62, and Yateley reached 110-6 before the match was abandoned.

Kidmore End 3rds match with Thatcham Town 4ths was also a draw after the hosts reached 198-7 in reply to 207.

For Kidmore, Greg Clark struck 58, whilst Harry Ingram and Simon Berry also hit 28 and 29. Nathan Ruegg (2-55) and Toby Savin (2-30) did well with the ball.