So we’ve already reached the half-way point of the league season! It has been a tough time for the club with a mixture of availability and injury issues meaning that we have not been able to get full strength teams out every week and as it currently stands the teams are positioned as follows:

Division 2b – 1s – 6th

Division 4a – 2s – 9th

Division 7a – 3s – 8th

Division 8a – 4s – 8th

The 1s were at home to Thatcham Town 1s. Thatcham won the toss and elected to bat first. With tight bowling and fielding the 1s looked in charge as they had Thatcham Town 140 for 9 but a last wicket stand of 33 saw Thatcham reach 173 all out off 44.2 overs.

Jamie Young 39 top scored for Thatcham and Andy Murray returned figures of 3 for 13 for Ascot.

Several batsmen got starts for Ascot but Nick Bishop’s 5 for 40 halted any progress that Ascot could make and despite Jack Lunghusen’s 31, Ascot fell short by 40 runs.

Next up is another home fixture against Hurst 1s.

The 2s were the visitors at Sulhamstead & Ufton 1s. Sully won the toss and batted first. The top order all got double figures with Phil Walden 60 and Aaron Briggs 60 not out top scoring in a total of 278 for 5 declared. Jason Carr and James Summers taking 2 wickets each.

The 2s never got going chasing such a large total and despite Gary Clarke with 52, Ascot had to work hard to save the draw as they finished on 181 for 8 off 51 overs with Robbie Handley on a defiant 14 not out. Doug MacDonald was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 22.

The 2s are on the road again this week at Boyne Hill 2s.

The 3s were at Locks Ride up against Newbury 2s. After winning the toss they elected to bat and made 243 for 7 off 52 overs thanks to Dan Corsini’s 86 not out.

But the Man of the Match award could only go to one contender. Newbury 2’s skipper Simon Digweed not only took 3 for 46, but then went on to anchor and dominate their successful run chase with a brilliant 134 not out to see Newbury home by 5 wickets and 2 overs. Tim Howson was the 3s best bowler with 3 for 75.

The 3s are again at Locks Ride hosting Wokingham 4s.

The 4s were the visitors to Bradfield 2s. Bradfield won the toss and inserted the opposition. Ascot had several contributions including Dan Mallett top scoring with 37 to reach a respectable 153 for 9 off 40 overs. Harry Booker taking 3 for 21 for Bradfield.

In the end, Bradfield managed to get over the line with 3 wickets and 17 balls remaining thanks to Dan Filmer 44 and Ben Hardy 33. Naeem was Ascot’s best bowler finishing his 10 overs with 3 for 23.

The 4s don’t have a match this weekend as Sonning 3 have already conceded so at least they have made a winning start to the second half of the season.