As the large lady starts to appear over the horizon, Week 17 saw critical matches for three of our four XIs.

The 1s were at home to Aldershot 1s. A win was vital as this would ensure that they were 20 points ahead of 9th placed Wokingham 2s and based on the most number of wins they would be safe.

Aldershot won the toss and elected to bat first. Great bowling and fielding restricted Aldershot to 67 for 5, but the innings was rebuilt around Nick Davies’ 74 not out including 6 fours and 4 sixes to get them up to 189 all out off 43.3 overs.

Helped by extras early on James Gamble’s 39 helped Ascot reach 110 for 3 but then Jack Lunghusen 46 not out off 25 balls including 5 fours and 3 sixes and skipper Jack Kendall’s 50 not out saw Ascot ease home with 18.5 overs left.

A great win which sees the 1s stay in Level 2 for the 2019 season as they finish their season away at Thatcham Town 1s.

The 2s were visitors at Bagshot 2s. Ascot won the toss and elected to bat first. The innings was held together by a superb 89 by Murray Barter, helping Ascot reach 207 all out off 44 overs. Tom Heighes was the best bowler for Bagshot with 4 for 30.

Mike Brown ripped through the top order to take 3 for 32 to ensure that Bagshot couldn’t get early momentum. Good bowling and fielding ensured that Bagshot couldn’t keep up with the run rate despite Matthew Alexander’s 34 as they finished on 186 for 8 off 45 overs, and the 2s won by 21 runs.

The 2s now climb into 9th place which is normally a relegation place but with no teams being relegated from the Home Counties, a team missing from Level 2 then there is a chance that 9th place may avoid relegation depending on whether any team is promoted from the Berkshire, Chiltern and Mid-Buckinghamshire Championship.

In the final round of matches, the 2s are at home to promoted second placed Sulhamstead & Ufton 1s and Henley 3, who are three points behind, are away at third placed Boyne Hill 2s.

The 3s were at home to promotion chasing Sulhamstead & Ufton 2s. Ascot won the toss and elected to field first. Tom Dummigan 3 for 30 and Mike Wyatt 3 for 31 kept the Sulhamstead & Ufton from accelerating but with several contributions including 48 not out from Alex Davies they reached a respectable 219 for 8 off 45 overs.

In the end Ascot couldn’t keep up with the run rate despite 40 from Deep Mohain with Graham Smith taking 3 for 39 and Shane Stuart 3 for 51.

The 3s move up one place to 7th and finish the season away at eighth place Newbury 2s.

The 4s were away at Bagshot 3s and needed several points from the match to secure a place in Level 8 next season.

Ascot won the toss and elected to field first. Paul Kelly 53 and Richard Rowlett 134 dominated proceedings as they piled on 265 for 5 off 40 overs. Billy Baker took 3 for 41 for Ascot and three bowling points.

While their total was beyond the 4s, batting points were the order of the day and they achieved five with a total of 196 for 7 off 40 overs with Dirk Benneyworth making 68 not out.

The 4s are now safe in 8th place – 37 points above Datchet 4s with their final match against fourth place Bradfield 2s.