Slough are top after their walkover win against Bicester & North Oxford with a six point lead.
Archie Carter was in scintillating form as his knock helped Wokingham defeat Thame Town by 17 runs at Church Meadow.
The recent arrival from Henley made a brilliant 114 from the opening berth as Wokingham posted a very competitive 300 for 9 from their 50 overs. Carter shared a 98-run stand with Dan Housego as the former Middlesex batter contributed 35. Billy Rogers added 48 as he and Carter shared a partnership worth 93 runs for the fourth wicket. The opener reached his century from 109 balls in 126 minutes before finally being dismissed for 115. Suhki Kang hit an unbeaten 30 to get his side to the 300-mark.
Thame Town skipper Hassam Mushtaq (3-56) and the consistent Dinny Malan (3-35) both claiming three poles apiece.
Ubaid Kiani (30) and Alex Tervet (64) gave the home side a platform before Lloyd Paternott’s explosive 107 from just 75 balls, including 12 fours and 5 sixes, launched them into a competitive position. Dinny Malan (32) added late order runs but it was Wokingham who held their nerve to take the 20 points and stay second. The Oaks opening seam duo of Iain Muirden (3-56) and skipper Tom Hampton (3-71) the pick of the bowlers.
The visiting Rance brothers were in fine form as Chesham enjoyed a 37-run success at Horspath, who drop a place to fourth.
Chesham lost early wickets after electing to bat, Matt Rance held the innings together with a quality 61 from the number one spot (112 balls, 142 minutes (7×4)) with Andy Goddard’s patient 42 supporting the Chesham efforts a great deal. It was Jason Rance who hammered ten boundaries (7x4s, 3x6s) as he made a quick-fire 65 runs from just 36 balls. Asad Rafiq’s six for 48 highlighting again how well the seamer has performed this campaign for the ‘path.
In reply, Horspath had a number of batters who made starts but could not progress as the visiting attack shared the wickets. Derval Green’s 32 runs from 17 balls the highest score for the hosts as Moiz Rana’s seam collected three for 46 for Chesham.
Gerrards Cross are up a place to third after they chased down Falkland’s total of 221 all out in 49.3 overs to win by two wickets.
Bucks Cricket’s Teddy Fleming’s all-round display on his own turf gave the Dukes Lane-based side a major boost on the day. The left-arm spin of Fleming claimed three for 30 from his ten-over stint after Falkland’s Bobby Brown had made 98 and his team mate Brandon Gilmour had chipped in with 38.
Hugo Hammond started aggressively for Gerrards Cross with a 32-ball, 46 runs, before Fleming capped a fine day by taking his side across the line with an outstanding 55 (50 runs in 52 balls, 72 minutes). Matt Bond’s four for 30 the best bowling for Falkland.
Joseph Thomas produced a captain’s display as Datchet defeated Oxford by 140 runs at Jordan Hill.
After winning the toss and batting first, Datchet amassed a huge 313 for 9 from their 50 overs as batters harvested runs. Opener Steven Naylor (53), Daniyal Akhtar (45) and Nick Kimber (50) gave the visitors innings early impetuous before Thomas entered proceedings. He reached a half century from just 29 balls in 39 minutes, before being removed for 79 having faced 45 balls. His opposing number, Jack Wilkins returned with four for 43 with the ball.
The chase was always going to be tough but Julian Laird (42), Alexander Laird (35) and William Laird (29) top scored as Oxford succumbed to the visitors bowling. Girish Radhakrishnan’s three for 42 the pick.
