A determined batting display from Chesham’s lower order ensured they escaped from Saturday’s Thames Valley League Division One clash against Eversley with a draw.

After winning the toss and electing to field, hosts Chesham saw several catches go down as their opponents reached 252-8 off 52 overs – despite the best efforts of Asad Rehman, who picked up three wickets.

The reply began well with Max McIver (33) dominating an opening partnership of 48 with Barney Atkins. However, a batting collapse, which saw the first six wickets fall for 66 runs, left the home side with 20 overs to see out and just four wickets in hand.

Chris Hedges (62) and Dan Babula (24*) came to the rescue, adding 80 runs before Umar Aslam came in to secure the draw as the hosts closed on 206-7 after 48 overs.

The result leaves Chesham sixth in the table, 28 points adrift of Marlow, who extended their lead at the top courtesy of a 47-run triumph against Stoke Green.

After the table toppers had put 203-8 on the board, Jez Batty proceeded to tear through the away side, finishing with figures of 6-57 as they bowled Stoke out for 156.

At the other end of the league, Beaconsfield stayed rooted to the bottom despite a strong batting performance earning them a draw against Falkland.

Chasing 284 to win, Becky closed on 255-7 after 48 overs, with Nilesh Odedra hitting an unbeaten 74 and captain Chris Thomas compiling 66. Chesham seconds remain second in Division 2A despite taking a six-wicket thrashing at the hands of Harefield.

Captain Matt Watson’s decision to bat first backfired spectacularly as his team collapsed to 54 all out – a target which their hosts knocked off for the loss of four wickets.

In Division 2B, High Wycombe came up 106 runs short after Chiswick and Whitton had set them a target of 287 to win.

Wycombe were bowled out for 180 after the hosts had made 286-8, leaving them fourth in the table.

Four local sides were in action in Division 3B, where Amersham, Gerrards Cross and Wooburn Narkovians were defeated, with only Marlow Park emerging victorious.

Elsewhere, Chalfont St Peter drew with Beaconsfield seconds, Wycombe Dragons defeated Princes Risborough and Chesham thirds went down to a 63-run defeat against Chiswick and Whitton seconds.