Marlow’s hopes of maintaining their Thames Valley Cricket League Division One status were given a timely boost as they beat Yateley by seven-wickets.

Their opponent’s decision to bat first appeared to be an error after an excellent spell from Paul Brzezicki (3-23) reduced them to 59-4.

However, opener James Halson (85) and Jacques Pienaar (52) dug in to turn the game back in their side’s favour.

They found the boundary at regular intervals before their partnership of 107 was broken with Yateley on 160.

From that point on, a combination of bad weather and fine bowling from Marlow stopped their relegation rivals from kicking on and they finished their innings on 209 all out.

A partnership of 46 from Iram Nawaz (24) and Joe Brown (35) gave Marlow the ideal platform to chase down the Yateley total.

Nawaz’s departure in the 13th over brought Barney Hogg (32) to the crease and he immediately joined Brown in taking the game to Yateley.

The pair added 73 for the next wicket and importantly scored at an impressive rate before the weather set in again.

The rain meant the Duckworth Lewis method would be needed to determine a winner.

With Marlow on 132-3 they claimed what could be a priceless win in their quest to avoid dropping down to Division Two.

They could all but assure survival on Saturday, as they take on ninth placed Kew, knowing victory would put clear daylight between themselves and the drop zone.