Marlow will head into the final week of the Thames Valley League Division One season with their fate in their own hands despite losing to Kew.

Kew went into Saturday’s match knowing they would almost certainly need a win to maintain their hopes of avoiding relegation and delivered with a 48-run victory.

They are now five points from safety and a further 11 behind seventh placed Marlow.

Marlow looked to be in control of proceedings after reducing Kew to 89-5 in the 24th over with some controlled bowling.

Kamran Younas (96) and Will Shaw (48) stopped the rot in emphatic fashion though as they shared a 95-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Lewis Abbott only added to Marlow’s worries with a priceless 53 not out as Kew closed their innings on an imposing 260-9.

Jeremy Batty (4-45) did his best to stem the flow of Kew runs, but his side were nonetheless facing an uphill challenge to turn the game around.

A bad start to their reply saw Joe Brown depart cheaply before Imram Nawaz (56) helped to recover the situation for Marlow.

At 100-2 Marlow looked well set to pull off an unlikely run chase before Kew regained control with some excellent bowling.

Only Batten was able to carry on the fight and his 43 was the last telling stand as Marlow were all out for 212.

Regardless of the defeat, Marlow will be assured of survival in Division One if they can beat Windsor on Saturday or match Kew’s final day result.