Sahaan Sahaan’s all-round display helped his side to a 124-run victory over Falkland at the Eddie Thompson Oval.
Sahaan top scored with 79, including eleven boundaries (9x4s, 2x6s), as Slough posted 299 before being bowled out off the penultimate ball of their innings.
Opener Humza Ishaq (34) gave Slough a bright start after they were inserted, before a 142-run stand for the fourth wicket between Sahaan and Saqlain Basharat, who also made a fine half century (57: 97 balls – 9 fours).
Some lusty late order blows saw Slough get to within one of the three hundred-mark. The visiting skipper James Bird claiming three for 48.
Bird then opened with gusto as his 74 from just 45 balls, including 12 fours and a six, at the top of the order was outstanding, but his fellow batters struggled as wickets fell at regular intervals. Sahaan produced with the ball as his four for 45 snuffed out any chance the visitors had.
When Pav Bhachu (2 for 3) trapped Matt Bond leg before, it was the wicket which gave Slough the title and a return to the top-flight in the Home Counties Premier Cricket League.
They will be joined in Division One next season by Wokingham, who secured promotion with a last-day win over Gerrards Cross. The two sides having a one-game winner-takes-all fixture.
After being inserted, Wokingham had a stand worth 108 valuable runs for the third wicket as Dan Housego and Shaan Khan guided their side in a tense affair. Former Middlesex batter Housego stroked 83 while Khan contributed 48 before Patrick Smith’s five for 51 pegged the home side back. The Oaks eventually closing on 219 for 9 from their 50 overs.
Gerrards Cross opener Hugo Hammond made a solid 68 in reply before Oaks skipper Tom Hampton produced a three-wicket spell which put his side on top. The seamer finished with three for 47 and along with Ali Akbar Raja (three for 18) and Iain Muirden (two for 26) they confirmed second place and a return to Division One at the first attempt.
Jack Laraman’s brilliant display helped Datchet to defeat Horspath by five wickets at the Wally Gage Memorial Ground.
Laraman picked up four for 34 as Horspath totalled 238 all out in 48.5 overs, as Asad Rafiq led the way with 72 from 82 balls (9x4s, 1×6). Opener Tom Nichols (41) and number nine Tyron Eyles (30) also amongst the runs.
Datchet enjoyed a successful chase as Steven Naylor opened with a run-a-ball 56, before Laraman hit eleven boundaries (8x4s, 3x6s) on his way to 77 runs from just 67 balls. Joseph Thomas saw his side home as he hammered an unbeaten 37 from just 16 balls in an innings containing 5 fours and 2 sixes.
The result sees Datchet leapfrog Horspath into fourth place, although the 2024 Cherwell League Champions will take a lot of positives from their fifth place finish.
The bowlers were on top as Chesham defeated Oxford by 26 runs in a low scoring affair at The Meadow.
After the home side were invited to bat, Mark Eteen (29) was the highest scorer as his side were bowled out for 111 in 36.2 overs. Dara Bannerman (3-9) and Henry Golding (3-20) both enjoyed successful spells with the ball.
The Chesham bowlers then made life equally difficult for their opponents batting line up as captain Jonathan Burden’s four for 15 in eight overs, backed up by Moteeb Syed’s three for 38 removed the Romans for 85 all out. Brendon Smith (39) and Jack Hobbs (20) scoring the majority of Oxford’s runs.
Bicester & North Oxford salvaged some last day pride as the bottom club won their Oxfordshire derby at Thame Town by five wickets.
New Zealand batter Samuel Payne started with 80 (89 balls – 7x4s, 3x6s) and found his opening partner Josh Towell (37) and Ryan Moore (30) in fine form. Chris Hofen got his side across the line with seven balls remaining as his 54 from 51 balls (6x4s, 2x6s) added the impetus needed.
Earlier, Thame had posted 229 for 7 in their 50 overs thanks mainly to Ubaid Kiani’s 89 not out at the number three berth. Kiani’s knock coming from 126 balls with Alex Browne (32) chipping in.
