BEACONSFIELD stormed back into the Thames Valley League Division 2b title race thanks to an extraordinary bowling display from Zia Ashraf on Saturday.

The Buckinghamshire-based club had not won in their previous three matches, two draws and a defeat, but Ashraf returned figures of 8-54 in the eight-wicket victory against Fleet at Wilton Park.

The off-spinner was the chief destroyer as Fleet slipped from 110-0 to 214 runs all out in 52 overs.

Beaconsfield raced to the win after a spectacular century from Johnny Bowers (116 not out) and an unbeaten 58 from David Heavyside.

Neither of their main rivals, Henley 2s or Hurst, managed to win, leaving Beaconsfield in third position in the league table but now just 28 points behind top spot.

Beaconsfield remain at Wilton Park for the visit of Thatcham Town this Saturday (1pm start).

Beaconsfield 2s lost their top-of-the-table match at Taplow 2s by seven wickets and have now dropped to fourth position in Division 5a.

The visitors struggled to 158 runs all out thanks to 37 from both Chris Thomas and Toby Slater, plus an unbeaten 35 from Mark Sullivan.

Taplow however eased to 162-3 in the 37th over for a win which sees them remain top of the division.

Beaconsfield make the trip to county rivals Burnham 3s this Saturday.

Beaconsfield 3s defeated Division 8b leaders Chalfont St. Peter 3s on a memorable day for captain Jim Slater - his 50th birthday.

Having restricted Chalfont to 211-8, Slater carried his bat for an unbeaten 127 to help take his team to a six-wicket success with six overs to spare. He received great support from Andrew Mitchell (36*) in an unbroken century stand for the fifth wicket.

The win means Beaconsfield have moved up to fourth place in the table ahead of a visit from Chenies & Latimer 2s this Saturday.