MAIDEN Erlegh Wokingham A held off a strong challenge from Forest to win the third round of matches in the Reading and District Schools Athletic League's Under 14 boys competition.

This left them top of the qualifying places for this week's final at Palmer Park with a total of 177.5 points, with Little Heath second on 166.

Blue Coat were unable to take part last week due to other school activities, but as they were the overall leaders after two rounds they have been placed in the A final.

Match 1: Maiden Erlegh Wokingham A 58pts, Forest 52, Hugh Faringdon 48, Bohunt 41, Highdown 21, JMA 16.

Match 2: Prospect 43pts, Bulmershe 38, Maiden Erlegh Wokingham B 38, Oaklands 32, Wren 18, St Josephs 0.

Match 3: Little Heath 48pts, Park House 42, Denefield 40, Maiden Erlegh Reading 31, Piggott B 17, Wren 0.

Match 4: Kennet 44pts, Trinity 42, Piggott A 36, St Crispins 32, Reading School 25.

Total scores after three rounds: Maiden Erlegh Wokingham A 177.5pts, Little Heath 166, Trinity 151, Piggott A 149, Bohunt 145, Kennet 145, Park House 143, Forest 143, Prospect 122, Reading Blue Coat A 121, Hugh Faringdon 117, Denefield 112, Reading School 101.5, Maiden Erlegh Reading 101, Bulmershe 97, Oakbank 94, Maiden Erlegh Wokingham B 94, Reading Blue Coat B 92, Waingels College 87, Highdown 87, Piggott B 76, St Josephs 61, Wren 60, JMA 55, St Crispins 52.

In the girls' competition, The Holt made it three wins out of three, their total of 55 points leaving them just two ahead of Maiden Erlegh Wokingham, with Highdown not far behind on 50 points.

The third match of the day produced the closest finish with Hugh Faringdon and Park House locked together on 52 points. There was also a tie for third place with St Crispins and St Josephs, both on 34 points.

Denefield and Abbey were the other match winners in the last qualifying round before finals day.

Match 1: Denefield 67pts, Piggott A 65, Maiden Erlegh Wokingham B 51, Prospect 32, Bulmershe 29, Wren 29, JMA 23.

Match 2: Abbey 54pts, Bohunt 48, Kennet 45, Maiden Erlegh Reading 29, Little Heath 25, Trinity 23.

Match 3: Hugh Faringdon 52pts, Park House 52, St Crispins 34, St Josephs 34, Reading Girls 32, Kendrick 26.

Match 4: Holt 55pts, Maiden Erlegh Wokingham 53, Highdown 50, Waingels College 29, Oakbank 22, Piggott B 19.

Totals after three rounds: Holt 190pts, Maiden Erlegh Wokingham A 179, Denefield 178, Highdown 170, Abbey 168, Piggott A 160, Bohunt Academy 158, Park House 150, Kennet 147.5, Hugh Faringdon 141, Piggott B 125, 12 St. Crispins 122.5, St. Joseph's College 119, Waingels College 109.5, Little Heath 97, Bulmershe 97, Maiden Erlegh Reading 96, Reading Girls 95, Prospect 90, Maiden Erlegh B 89, Kendrick 83, Oakbank 81, Wren 76, JMA 60.5, Trinity 58.