Slough currently top the table with 282 points, nine points clear of Wokingham with one game remaining.
Gerrards Cross are third with their defeat of Slough setting up a dramatic last day. Their opponents this weekend, second placed Wokingham, who they face in a winner-takes-all fixture.
Last Saturday, it was Gerrards Cross who successfully chased down leaders Slough’s total (226 all out) to win by six wickets and keep their chances of promotion alive.
After inserting their visitors, Humza Ishaq opened up with a fine half century (52 from 56 balls – 6x4s, 1×6) but the home side’s attack took wickets at regular intervals to peg Slough back. Mujtaba Ghayyas produced an excellent knock as his 57 from 61 balls at number 6 helped his side past the 200-mark. James Pannett (3-35) and Harry Spear (3-46) producing the best figures.
The weather saw Gerrards Cross given a re-adjusted target of 109 from 21 overs, which they duly chased down losing four wickets in the process. Chris Marrow’s undefeated 37 seeing his side across the line despite the efforts of Kazim Naqvi (3-43).
Wokingham saw their trip to Oxford eventually fall victim to the weather after a number of spells off for the rain.
The Jordan Hill-based club had reached 180-3 in 39.1 overs with Barney Carey (71) and Dylan Swanepoel (53) making runs. Carey hit nine fours in a knock which lasted 93 balls, while Swanepoel’s run-a-ball innings included 6 fours.
Steven Naylor produced a match-winning spell with the ball as Datchet enjoyed a six-wicket victory at Falkland in a rain affected game.
Naylor claimed six for 38 from a brilliant 8.4 overs after the Falkland opening duo of skipper James Bird (50) and Chris Baker (54) shared a stand of 108. The hosts collapsed against Naylor’s skills set as they lost nine wickets for just 36 runs to be bowled out for 172.
The revised target of 87 from 23.3 was easily surpassed as Datchet were 122 for 4; Daniyal Akhtar (26), Jack Laraman (20) and captain Joseph Thomas (27 not out)
Bicester & North Oxford and Chesham were washed out at the half way stage of their encounter at Akeman Street.
Matt Rance’s four for 16 reducing the home side to 134 all out as only Ryan Moore’s 34 made any impact before the rain came.
To complete a treble of cancellations in Oxfordshire, Horspath and Thame Town were forced into an early finish.
Thame Town stacked up 279 for 8 from their 50 overs as a number of players found form with the willow. Ubaid Kiani (30), Alex Tervet (72) and Jonathon Jelfs (58) made runs for the visitors, while Sravan Konidena took three for 54 for the ‘path.
The home side’s reply lasted just thirteen balls (Horspath 15-0).
