COOKHAM Dean took a massive step towards avoiding relegation from Division Two after edging out fellow strugglers Amersham by six runs, writes Richard Ashton.

The hosts were wobbling on both 22-2 and 76-5, but an enterprising 44 from 50 balls from Greg Davis, and a more stoic 61 from Yasir Qureshi allowed Cookham to reach 187.

Max Maciver (3-31) and Stuart Rogers (3-44) were the pick of the Amersham bowlers.

The away side came flying out of the traps as Luke Jackson took the attack to the Dean, and the score was already 67 when Robert Viney became the first man to fall.

Maciver's dismissal on 108 triggered the loss of three wickets for nine runs, Jackson (79 from 82 balls) going to make it 117-4.

A 35-run stand between Maduka Liyanapathiranage and skipper Andrew Viney had Amersham well in control at 152-4, but a staggering collapse inspired by Qureshi (4-21) saw them crash to 181 all out.

Wasim Ahmed (2-32), Sim Mangat (2-33) and Scott Harris (2-42) were the other wicket-takers.

Cookham Dean are now a point and a place above Amersham ahead of their trip to Burnham tomorrow (Saturday).

Fahad Raja (77) and Raza Ali Dar (66) both hit half centuries as Burnham returned to winning ways with a 35-run success at home to Oxford Downs.

Having been bowled out for 266, Burnham hit back courtesy of Ali Dar (3-44), Shaan Khan (3-52), Farhaan Khan (2-30) and Karan Kumar (2-32) to knock over their opponents for 231.

Slough's Division One relegation was confirmed with two weeks to go as they went down by 40 runs at second-placed Banbury.

Saif Zaib claimed 2-36 from his 10 overs, but an unbeaten 88 from Ollie Clarke steered Banbury to 215-6 in their 50 overs.

Zaib top scored with 39 in reply, but no batsman could really get going as Slough were bowled out for 175.

Slough travel to Datchet tomorrow.

Bobby Sher (71) led third-placed Datchet back to winning ways as they eased past basement side Horspath by 96 runs.

Zimbabwean David Brent added 54 as the visitors posted an imposing 304-8, and with Ollie Birts (3-23) and Ollie Smithson (3-40) bowling well, Horspath were dismissed for 208.