WOKINGHAM CC's hopes of making a late charge for promotion came to end with a disappointing 61-run defeat at Amersham last Saturday.

A rain-affected game saw their target reduced from 241 in 50 overs to 222 in 41, but they failed to get anywhere close as they were bowled out for 160 by a side battling third to avoid relegation from Division Two of the Home Counties Premier League.

The Oaks, having lost the toss, reduced their hosts to 39-2 with both wickets falling to Callum Creighton, before a third-wicket partnership of 87 by Robert Viney and Bruce Friderichs left the hosts in a much healthier position.

The latter fell for 36 to Jacob Clark, while Maduka Liyanapathiranage (6) was snapped up Simon Myles with son Ben taking the catch and Simon then bowled skipper Andy Viney for 35.

Graham Rance made only five and Robert Viney was just one run short of a century when he was caught by Will Legg off Clark, his 99 coming off 142 balls and including two maximums and 210 fours before Amersham completed their 50 overs on 240-8.

Creighton finished with 2-47, Myles 2-24, Lewis Sharp 2-55 and Clark 2-63, all from 10 overs.

Wokingham's reply started badly with George Horsley (8), Legg (10) and Archie Carter (8) all back in the pavilion before the total had reached 40.

Dan Housego and Myles worked hard to turn things around, lifting the total to 132 before the latter was bowled for 39.

Creighton, promoted to six in the order, made only one and Sukhi Kang, who was skippering the side, was dismissed for a second-ball duck, leaving the total on 135-6.

Housego was next to go, having made 54 off 65 deliveries, at 150 and the remaining three wickets produced only 10 runs, the Wokingham innings ending on a disappointing 160 in the 34th over.

Stuart Rogers took the bowling honours for Amersham with excellent figures of 6-24 from eight overs.

The Oaks remain fourth in the table on 262 points, behind Thame on 298, Oxford 280 and Harefield 268.

They complete their season at home to sixth-placed Burnham this coming Saturday.