TVL round-up: Four games remaining

Division 1

North Maidenhead head into the final four matches of the season knowing that only a reversal of fortunes will keep them from being relegated.

It is odds on that three teams will be relegated from Division 1 this season, and so the Summerleaze Park side find themselves in a six-way battle to avoid the drop.

They have the advantage of being able to select from a stronger squad than at any time in a frustrating season, and one that is slowly starting to find some form.

However, they still have the top three teams to play, before finishing their campaign against fellow-relegation battlers Fleet

The team are also trying to rebuild some confidence from the scores-level draw with Kew two weeks ago, when they needed just two runs to win from the last nine deliveries.

Vice captain Jon Stewart said of the run-in: “It looks like it’s going to go all the way to the last match.

“It’s been a disappointing season for us so far, but if we finish strongly we can still earn a mid-table position.

“It’s up to every player to maximise their contribution to the team in this final month to ensure we are still playing Division 1 cricket next season. It’s still in our hands and that’s the important thing.”

On Saturday, North Maids play host to Harefield and will have a point to prove because in their encounter in June, the Berkshire side were thrashed by 10 wickets picking up no points in the process.

Division 2A

The crucial, and much-anticipated, clash between Maidenhead & Bray and Marlow - the division’s top two teams - was washed out on Saturday which leaves the race for promotion a probable two-horse race dash for the line.

Marlow head their rivals by just 10 points with four matches remaining, starting with a trip to struggling Chiswick & Latymer then followed by matches against Basingstoke 2nds (who still have an outside chance of promotion), Farnham Royal 2nds and Beaconsfield 2nds.

Bray, who have lost just once this season, have a similar run in against Burnham 2nds, Chiswick, Basingstoke 2nds and Farnham Royal 2nds.

At the foot of the table, Burnham 2nds and Farnham Royal 2nds are facing an uphill challenge to avoid being victims of  the dreaded drop after a difficult season for both teams.

Division 2B

Boyne Hill have come through a difficult period with key players unavailable, to maintain their outside chance of scooping the one promotion place.

Third-placed Hill are 23 points behind leaders High Wycombe 2nds and nine behind Cove, but with matches against Reading 2nds, Farnham Common, Cove and Kidmore End to finish off their campaign, the Boyn Grove team will expect to be in the shake-up at the end.

Division 3A

With Newbury grabbing 25 points and top spot on Saturday, while almost every other match in the TVL was rained-off, North Maidenhead 2nds are in second place ahead of Saturday’s encounter with the leaders.

Although there are two promotion places available, it will still be a tough test for North Maids 2nds who also have to play Hampton Hill, Cove 2nds and Harefield 2nds in what is a very competitive division.

Division 3B

After relegation last season, Marlow Park looked destined to finish mid-table as they are 44 points off a promotion place and a similar number of points from the relegation zone.

The club, which is going through a rebuilding phase, are next in action on Saturday when they entertain Ascot Park.

Division 4A

With just 16 points separating the top seven teams, both Wooburn Narkovians and Cookham Dean are still in the mix for promotion.

The two teams meet on Saturday at Wooburn Park, with the result likely to go a long way in deciding their fate this season.

Narkovians end the campaign against Slough 3rds, Finchampstead 3rds and British Airways, while the Dean face Finchampstead 3rds, Windsor 2nds and current leaders Hayes in their final games.