As week ten saw the begining to the second half of the season, the Oaks were held at Falkland, while Slough cut their lead as they defeated Datchet, who they replace in second place.
Billy Rogers and Chris Baker both hit 82 for Wokingham (14) and Falkland (13) as the spoils were shared in the Berkshire derby.
After electing to bat, Rogers made his runs from 11 balls, scoring ten boundaries, as he flowed with the willow. Dan Housego (30), Sukhi Kang (31 retired) and late order fireworks by Andy Rishton 45 from just 30 balls) helped Wokingham finished their 58 overs on 277 for 7. Brandon Gilmour’s three for 57 the pick of the bowlers.
Baker followed Rogers in putting 82 in the scorebook before he was ironically run out by the same Oaks player. His runs came from 130 balls and contained nine fours. The rest of the top six could not register that much-needed supportive role and Elliot Seddon’s flurry of 46 from 36 balls from number seven was the only other innings of note. Falkland played out their 52 overs, closing on 232 for 7.
Yash Lakhani’s brilliant innings at the top of the order helped Slough (25) overcome Datchet (9) by 143 runs at the Wally Gage Memorial ground.
The opener hit 16 fours and 5 sixes as he amassed 142 from 124 balls (100 runs in 98 balls, 134 minutes, 12×4, 3×6) as he helped take Slough past the 250-mark. Saqlain Basharat (49), Umair Mushtaq (34 not out) and Mujtaba Ghayyas (29 not out) added contributions as Slough posted 346 for 6 from their 58 overs.
Rahim Akhtar (38) and Murad Khan (44) took Datchet to 72 for 1 before the home side lost four wickets for just 27 runs as two dismissals occurred on 72, before the same thing happened on 99. Datchet never recovered from the blow as Humza Ishaq’s four for 26 from eight overs saw the hosts dismissed for 203 in 49 overs. Yousef Majid closed unbeaten on 33.
Julian Laird was in outstanding form as he stroked an unbeaten 168 as he spearheaded Oxford’s (14) drawn encounter with Thame Town (10) at Jordan Hill.
The left-hander was the chief contributor as his side were dismissed for 250 all out in 57.4 overs, carrying his bat in the process. Laird’s knock came from 180 balls as he batted 233 minutes, scoring 23 boundaries, including three sixes. The division’s leading wicket taker, Dinny Malan, continued his excellent form as he took three for 49 for Town.
In reply, Ubaid Kiani opened up with 74 (8 fours) and Lloyd Paternott supported with 59. But Thame were restricted by the Oxford skipper Jack Wilkins as the seamer had the visitors 4 for 2 before returning to take another brace as the visitors closed on 184 for 7. Wilkins returning with figures of four for 29 from 14 tidy overs.
Bottom club Bicester & North Oxford (2) must find some form with eight games remaining after their defeat at Horspath (25) left them 47 points from safety.
Liam Turnbull ripped through the visitors batting as he claimed four for 6 in a devastating six-over stint. Asad Rafiq claimed three for 32 as the ‘path bowled out the opposition for just 88 in 26 overs as they totally dominated proceedings.
Opener Dominic O’Connor guided his side across the line as he made an undefeated 55, including a 50-run first wicket partnership with Sravan Konidena (26). Horspath’s fourth win of the campaign sees them go up to fourth in the table.
Teddy Fleming’s left arm spun Gerrards Cross (25) to a 199-run win over Chesham (11) as he claimed match-winning figures of six for 14.
The spinner’s 8.2 overs floored the visiting batters as only Ed Horsley and Mark Eteen reached 30 runs each. Chesham were removed for 119 in 29.2 overs.
Earlier, Matthew Pannett (35) gave the home side a bright start before Henry Walsh took over from the number four berth. He struck nine boundaries (8x4s,1×6) in an outstanding 91, while skipper Patrick Smith made a run-a-minute 62 coming in at eight. Fleming continues to grow with both bat and ball as he made 42 to go with his six wickets. Kamran Khan (3-77) and Henry Sussum (3-72) both claiming three poles apiece.
