With the return of league cricket, the weather gods decided to have some fun. But before we go onto events of last weekend, congratulations to our Under 15s who beat Hurley by 25 runs in the last 32 of the Berkshire Cup. They will face the winners of Farnham Royal and Maidenhead & Bray in the next round.

Back to the weather which claimed the 1s and 4s away matches but the 2s and 3s were still able to play

2s v Farnham Common 2

At the Racecourse Course, despite the rain, the ground was fit for play, albeit in arctic conditions. Farnham Common won the toss and elected to field first. That decision was quickly vindicated with the early departure of skipper Robbie Handley, clean bowled by Yasir Nazir.

Gary Clarke (35) and James Docker (30) then put on 62 for the second wicket to wrestle back control, but when they both departed, Ascot struggled for runs and continued to lose wickets.

Adam Smith made a defiant 21 but when he went lbw, Ascot were struggling at 121 for 7. An unbeaten partnership by Cedric Cooray (29 not out) and Andy Wiggett (25 not out) helped the 2s reach a respectable 196 for 7 off 45 overs.

Farnham Common started strongly with Ahmed Khan (50) and Armaghan Ahmad (29) putting on 76 for the first wicket. But the introduction of Jeremy Wing (3 for 27) saw Farnham Common subside to 136 for 7. No.4 Riz Khan held the innings together and with Yasir Khan (19) took the score to 164 before Yasir was 8th to go and with skipper Ben Kunicki out three runs later then the odds were with Ascot.

But some fine hitting from Riz Khan (60 not out) with some stern support from Chris Andrews (3 not out) saw Farnham Common take a thrilling match by one wicket with 6 balls remaining.

3s v Eversley 3

At Locks Ride, the 3s won the toss and elected to bowl first. Tim Howson created havoc with a fine 5 for 17 as only 4 batters got into double figures, Anap Urath top scoring with 21. Despite a middle-order wag, Will Cowley finished off the tail off with 3 for 6, as Eversley finished on 81 all out.

But the 3s then struggled and were soon 29 for 6 with only opener Rob Bennett making double figures. Hopes were raised as Satpal and Will Cowley (14) took the the total to 69, but then Cowley fell and with Naeem soon following, the match was well poised at 74 for 9. However, Satpal (24) was last man out trying to win the match and Eversley took the honours by 6 runs.

Two very close matches which Ascot were just on the wrong end. But aren’t we just glad that cricket’s back!