It was a weekend of high scores, dramatic finishes, and character-testing run chases across the Home Counties Premier League (HCPL) and Thames Valley Cricket League (TVCL) this past weekend.
Here is a look at how our local sides fared under the mid-July sunshine.
Finchampstead’s 1st XI found themselves in an absolute run-fest in their Division 1 clash against Henley CC 1st XI.
Henley’s batters set a daunting benchmark, powering their way to an imposing 289-8 from their allocation. However, the Finches showed tremendous grit and application in the chase.
While they ultimately fell short of the victory target, Finchampstead batted beautifully to secure a hard-fought draw, closing out their innings on a highly respectable 261-7 to ensure they took a share of the points.
Over at Wokingham CC, the 1st XI were on the road taking on Harefield CC 1st XI, but it was down the club’s divisions where the real drama unfolded, providing fans with an afternoon of pure, agonising theatre.
The Oaks’ 4th XI were involved in a nail-biting Division 5B thriller against Crowthorne & Crown Wood 1st XI.
Chasing the visitors’ formidable 283-9, Wokingham came agonisingly close, eventually being bowled out for 281 to fall just two runs short of an epic victory.
Remarkably, the 5th XI suffered an almost identical fate in Division 7A; chasing Woodley CC 1st XI’s 200-7, they finished on 199-8, missing out on the win by a solitary run.
Providing some cheer for Wokingham was the 3rd XI, who made light work of Kidmore End 2nd XI in Division 4A.
The bowlers were in lethal form, skittling Kidmore for exactly 100, a total Wokingham calmly chased down with six wickets in hand (103-4).
In the TVCL, Emmbrook and Bearwood CC’s 1st XI made the trip to the Gardiner Recreation Ground on Saturday to face off against Goring on Thames CC 1st XI in a crucial Division 4A encounter.
On Sunday, however, it was a tough day at the office for the Emmbrook and Bearwood Women’s 1st XI as they hosted a ruthless Sonning Women’s 1st XI side.
After electing to bat, the home side found themselves completely stifled by a razor-sharp Sonning attack. Grace Phillips ripped through the top order with incredible figures of 3-8 from 3.1 overs, while Belle Myers proved equally destructive, bagging 3-23.
Despite a brief spark from Jo Lee, Emmbrook & Bearwood were dismissed for 81, a total heavily inflated by 45 extras.
The chase proved to be a formality for Sonning, with opener Geethika Jyothis blasting a quick-fire 30 not out off 31 balls (including six boundaries) to see the visitors home at 82-0 in just 8.1 overs.
While we usually keep the spotlight tightly on our primary local squads, it’s impossible to report on the weekend’s action without mentioning an absolute masterclass from a nearby side.
Facing Finchampstead 3rd XI, Binfield CC 2nd XI’s Michael Carson produced the innings of the weekend, bludgeoning a magnificent 178.
It was a tough afternoon for the Finches’ bowling attack, but fans in attendance were treated to one of the most spectacular individual knocks of the 2026 season so far.
Not to be outdone, Carter Daines also scored an impressive 113 for Binfield’s 4th XI against Boyne Hill 4th XI.
