BRACKNELL suffered a second consecutive Division 4a defeat after going down by 65 runs at home to Sonning on the Average Run Rate (ARR) method, writes Richard Ashton.

Australian Aaron Crofts (86) and captain Andrew Niblett (58) powered the visitors to an imposing 332-6 in their 45 overs, before a shower left Bracknell needing 285 in 37 overs.

Opener Muhammad Zile (54) and Karthik Ramanujam (50) did their best in reply, but the hosts were always behind the rate and ended on 219-7.

Bracknell travel to Wargrave 2nds this coming Saturday.

Jake Turner top scored with 62 for Wokingham 3rds (195), but they went down by 18 runs to Reading 2nds (213-8). David Carpenter took 4-31 for the Oaks.

In Division 2a, Eversley eased past Tring Park 2nds by eight wickets.

Joe Howorth was the destroyer-in-chief as his 5-34 restricted the hosts to 159, and Tom Nichols (81no) and Chris Last (54no) then eased their side home with six overs to spare.

Eversley host Chesham 2nds on Saturday.

James Eaglesham (65) and Andrew Lazenbury (44) were among the runs for Finchampstead 2nds (226-6) as they crushed Thatcham Town (110) by 116 runs, Henry Leach grabbing 3-18.

Ruki Soza (101no) and Max Carroll (90) starred for Hurst (262-8) as they beat Bagshot (205) by 57 runs.

Spinner Phil Higgs took 5-32 for the hosts, who visit Henley 2nds this Saturday.

Andrew Murray's unbeaten 52 was not enough for Royal Ascot (136), who went down by three wickets to Aldershot (137-7).

Royal Ascot host Finchampstead 2nds on Saturday.

Duncan Wessels (76) and Matt Hayman (3-38) impressed for Binfield (224-7) as they eased past Slough 3rds (134) by 90 runs in Division 3a.

Binfield host Boyne Hill 2nds this Saturday.

Captain Ian Rose (64) led the way for Finchampstead 3rds (273-4) as they beat Cove 2nds (210) by 63 runs.

Callum Creighton (4-9) ripped through the Falkland 2nds (73) batting line-up before George Horsley's unbeaten 51 from 39 balls fired Wokingham 2nds (74-1) to an easy nine-wicket win.

Olly Nicholson cracked a rapid 100 not out as Binfield 2nds (186-2) crushed Slough 4ths (183) by eight wickets.

Kamal Gupta took 4-46 for Binfield, with opener Steve Jeffrey also adding 61.

Mike Judd's 71 helped Eversley 2nds (242-6) batter Henley 3rds (108) by 134 runs. Left-arm spinner Sam Glaze went on to take 4-24 for the Boars.

Jeremy Wing top scored with 65 for Royal Ascot 2nds (184), but they were edged out by just five runs by Aldershot 2nds (189).

In Division 6b, Hurst 2nds (108-1 after 17.4 overs) appeared set for a comfortable win against Sonning 2nds (150), only for the rain to curtail their run chase and force an abandonment.

Finchampstead 4ths (151) lost to Cove 3rds (205-8) by 54 runs.

Steve Bendall made 53 for Wokingham 4ths (202-9), but they were edged out by two wickets at Wargrave 3rds (203-8) in Division 7a.

Dan Humphrey's unbeaten 62 was not enough for Binfield 3rds (152-7) as they went down by 64 runs to Maidenhead & Bray 3rds (216-9).

Royal Ascot 3rds (174-8) lost by five wickets to Yateley (152-5) in a rain-affected game, where a revised target was set via ARR.

In Division 8a, Bracknell 2nds (219-8) beat Bagshot 3rds (211) by eight runs, while Wokingham 5ths (180-4) beat Boyne Hill 4ths (179-9) by six wickets.

Finchampstead 5ths' game against Theale & Tilehurst 3rds (191-4) was abandoned due to rain.

Bill Burnett top scored with 52 as Eversley 3rds (232-9) battered Royal Ascot 4ths (93) by 139 runs.

Graeme Ellis took 5-15 for Eversley 4ths (79-3) as they eased past Yateley 2nds (75) by seven wickets in Division 9a.

Wokingham Oaks & Acorns conceded their game with Datchet 4ths.