FINCHAMPSTEAD 2nds dropped to seventh in the Division 2b table after losing by six wickets at home to Reading, writes Richard Ashton.

The hosts won the toss and elected to bat, but with Jack Beaven (5-51) in top form, they crashed to 42-5 and then 62-7.

Ollie Armstrong-Wood top scored with 26 batting at number nine, but Finch were eventually bowled out for just 106.

Reading lost Sanjit Jheeta for a duck, but Beaven (30no) completed a fine individual performance to lead his side to 107-4 in 21.1 overs.

Royal Ascot (122) – who travel to Bagshot this coming Saturday – lost for the sixth straight time as they went down by seven wickets to Fleet.

Hurst (61-1) returned to winning ways and the top of the table with a nine-wicket thrashing of basement boys Aldershot (60).

Eversley's sensational start to the Division 2a season continued as they leaders made it six wins from six with a 124-run rout of Maidenhead & Bray.

Tom Nichols led the way with an unbeaten 81, and with opener Jack Ford also contributing 68, the Boars amassed 235-5 in their 52 overs.

Ben Barnard (3-32) made early inroads with the new ball, and with off spinner Chris Last then taking 3-14, Maids were shot out for 111.

Eversley host Ickenham in a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday.

Tom Andrews took 5-25 for Division 3a leaders Binfield (59-2) as they walloped Finchampstead 3rds (58) by eight wickets.

Binfield host Sulhamstead next Saturday.

Wokingham 2nds' game at Sulhamstead was abandoned as heavy rain during the week meant a wicket could not be prepared.

Salman Hamidi's unbeaten 82 proved key in Bracknell gaining the better of their Division 4a draw at Bagshot 2nds.

The visitors were bowled out for 181, but managed to restrict their opponents to 176-8 as Mohammad Shabir took 3-17 from his 11 overs.

Bracknell host Wokingham 3rds this coming Saturday.

Wokingham 3rds scraped over the line to beat Newbury by one wicket at Sadlers End.

The Oaks bowled their visitors out for 186, and with Ian Muirden top scoring with 65, they squeezed home be adding 10 for the final wicket.

In Division 5b, Eversley 2nds maintained their perfect record by beating Thatcham Town 2nds by 102 runs.

Alex Davidson clattered a brilliant 124 as the Boars were bowled out for 281, and Rezaul Roni's 5-45 then saw off Thatcham for 179.

Second placed Binfield 2nds (234-8 declared from 48 overs) had the better of their draw against Royal Ascot 2nds (162-9).

Jason Lynch top scored with 67 for Binfield.

Hurst 2nds (163) moved up to fourth in Division 6b after beating Theale & Tilehurst 2nds (87) by 76 runs, but Finchampstead 4ths (120) suffered a disappointing afternoon as they went down by 110 runs at Purley on Thames 2nds (230-6 declared off 43 overs).

In Division 7a, Dom Mathias made 50 for Binfield 3rds (176-7) in their draw with Newbury 2nds (146-9).

The game between Royal Ascot 3rds and Wokingham 4ths was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain.

Harry Leach made an excellent 90 as Division 8a leaders Eversley 3rds (306-6) thrashed Thatcham Town 3rds (182-7) by 124 runs.

Charlie Marles took 5-32 to inspired Finchampstead 5ths to a five-wicket success at Bagshot 3rds.

The hosts were bowled out for 174, and an unbeaten 78 from opener Simon Eldridge along with 53 from skipper Dave Marles, ensured Finches reached 175-5 with three balls to spare.

Rob Bennett made 98 and Satpal Madhan claimed 4-46 to lead Royal Ascot 4ths (179-8) to an 18-run victory against Bracknell 2nds (133-9 off 30 overs) via the average run rate method following a delay due to rain.

The game between Wokingham 5ths and Theale & Tilehurst 3rds was abandoned without a ball being bowled, as was the Division 9a fixture between Stoke Green 4ths and Eversley 4ths.

Wokingham Oaks & Acorns (117) lost by 87 runs to Reading 4ths (204-1).