Division One table-toppers Wokingham suffered a tense three-wicket defeat at nearest rivals Cove, writes Phil Brennan.

Inserted by the hosts, the Wokingham top order were dismantled, collapsing to 0-3 and then 5-4. It was an irrecoverable start, but the score limped along, the Oaks eventually crawling to 83 all out.

Excellent bowling from Paul McCraw (4-29) gave the Oaks a sniff, but Regan McLean (38no) ensured Cove reached their target.

Wokingham – 33 points clear at the top – visit rock bottom Finchampstead 2nds this Saturday (12.30pm).

In Division 2a, Eversley crushed Harefield 2nds by 102 runs. After winning the toss Eversley compiled 272-6 off their 50 overs, Chris Last (52no) and James Magowan (75) starring with the bat.

Wickets were shared in the second innings as captain Last impressed again with 3-49 off his 10 overs, and Harefield were dismissed for 128.

Eversley move up to fifth and travel to play Chesham 2nds this Saturday (12.30pm).

Hurst beat Beaconsfield by five wickets in Division 2b.

Having won the toss, Beaconsfield were dismissed for 147, the wickets shared between Nick Reynolds (3-22), Phil Higgs (3-33), and Floyd Na Nagara (3-46).

Max Carroll (53) and Alex Kayser (54) then starred with the bat as Hurst – who rise to fourth and visit Thatcham Town this Saturday (12.30pm) – closed on 148-5 with 16 balls to spare.

James Gamble top scored with 49 for Royal Ascot (150), but they lost by five wickets to Thatcham Town (151-5).

Royal Ascot visit High Wycombe on Saturday (12.30pm).

In Division 3a, second-placed Wokingham 2nds (175) were beaten by Falkland 2nds (176-3).

Simon Carter (42) top scored for the Oaks, but Graham Beal (51no) saw Falkland comfortably home.

Eversley 2nds (174) beat Beaconsfield 2nds (147) by 27 runs in Division 4a. Will Perkin (80) bolstered the Eversley total before James Berger-North (4-24) and Colin Webb (3-40) sealed the win with the ball.

Royal Ascot 2nds (161) won by 30 runs at Bagshot 2nds, Dan Corsini (43) top scoring before Tom Dummigan’s 5-48 sealed the victory.

Bracknell climbed out of the Division 5b drop zone with a 70-run win against Aldershot 2nds.

Imran Raja (51) batted well, but the visitors were knocked over for 136, only for Peter Henly (3-32) and Mohammad Shabir (3-10) to skittle Aldershot for 66.

Bracknell host Henley 3rds this Saturday (12:30pm).

Wokingham 3rds kept their slim promotion hopes alive with a 27-run success at home to Chiswick & Whitton 2nds.

The Oaks were dismissed for 216 as David Healey (59) and Dan Heath (45) impressed, but Chiswick were bowled out for 189 as Cameron Gillespie (4-38) shone.

Royal Ascot 3rds (176-7) downed Farnham Common 2nds (172) by three wickets in Division 6b, Saria Muhammad (7-65) and skipper Dirk Benneyworth (54) the stars.

Hurst 2nds (67) dropped into the relegation zone after losing a thriller to Reading 3rds (71-8) by two wickets.

Relegation-threatened Bracknell 2nds held on for a draw in their Division 7a clash with Maidenhead & Bray 3rds.

Bray declared on 214-9 off 45 overs, but Alan Henly (41) top scored as the hosts replied with 173- 8.

Wokingham 4ths (62) suffered a 134-run thrashing at Fleet 2nds (196-8), while Eversley 3rds (140) were beaten by eight wickets at Kidmore End 2nds (144-2).

In Division 8a, Windsor 4ths forfeited their Division 8a game against Royal Ascot 4ths, Eversley 4ths doing the same against Wargrave 3rds in Division 9a. The game between leaders Wokingham 5ths and Cove 5ths was cancelled.