For some reason the sports journalist at the Bracknell News has an issue with our club. This week’s edition has taken to call our 1s – “Cellar Dwellers”. To the team that played out a spirited draw against Reading is a huge injustice.

Ascot elected to field first. Reading’s innings was built on opener Sanjit Jhetta’s 60 and a more than run a ball 43 by Rahul Bharti. Some late order runs by Khalid Zafar Mailk with 37 helped them reach 215 for 8 off 49 overs declared.

Kevin May was the pick of the Ascot bowlers with a stoic 5 for 70.

Ascot quickly lost both openers and at 0 for 2 resistance was needed. With Khalid Zafar Malik bowling at one end with 5 for 51, runs were hard to come by.

Will Ellison 16 and Nick Sweetman 45 dug in and then Joshua Jayasingh 30 not out and Samm Daniel 24 helped the 1s to draw the match and end on 138 for 6.

The 2s were at home to Henley 3. Henley won the toss and elected to bat first. 7 batsmen got into double figures but Sam Ranger top scored with 40 to help them reach 231 for 9 off 51 overs.

Ascot were soon in trouble at 55 for 7 but some spirited batting from Ben Clark 30, Andy Wiggett 25 and James Summers 25 not out helped the 2s reach 156 all out.

The 3s lost the toss at Kidmore End 2s, who batted first. Skipper Chris Pigden top scored with 60 as they were bowled out for 220 in the last over. Tim Howson was the pick of the bowlers with a stoic 7 for 89.

The 3s kept up with the rate thanks to 51 from Jacob Parry and 52 from Disney Abeyesekara, but the fall of the latter’s wicket saw the 3s subside to 184 all out. Umer Faroqi was the difference with 7 for 70.

The 4s hosted Boyne Hill 4s at Locks Ride. Boyne Hill won the toss and elected to bat first. Several players got into double figures with Arindam Ghosh scoring 42 to help Boyne Hill reach a strong 221 for 9 off 40 overs.

In the end it was just enough despite 65 from Neal Feely and 59 from John Dunnet as Ascot made 201 for 8 off 40 overs with Raghu Ramanujam taking 6 for 60.

Next week starts the second half of the season

1s v Hurst 1 (Away)

2s v Slough 4 (Home)

3s v Aldershot 3 (Away)

4s v Thatcham Town 3 (Away)

The colts matches continue to arrive thick and fast.

Under 13s beat Braywood by 42 runs and lost to Windsor Cavaliers by 9 wickets in Division 2

Under 15s tied with Finchampstead and lost by 10 runs against a school touring team from Australia in a 40 over match.

Under 9s beat Binfield at the Racecourse Ground

Under 12s beat Pyrford by 10 wickets

Under 11s beat East Molesey

Under 11 Royals beat Crowthorne