ROYAL Ascot secured their first win since the end of May on Saturday, beating Hillingdon Manor by five wickets.

After a fortnight without any cricket, Ascot got back on the winning trail and in doing so completed the double over their opposition in Thames Valley Division 3a.

Adam Esposito and Nikesh Patel were the standout bowlers at the Ascot Heath ground as the hosts dismissed Hillingdon for 135.

Ascot's response was measured with every batsman contributing to a steady stream of runs that saw them over the target with five wickets to spare.

Hillingdon openers David Huntley and Julian Corbin both had decent knocks of 30 and 31 respectively before heading back to the pavilion.

Esposito (4-36) then trapped Aftab Akram (25), Adam Seymour (20) and Rohit Seshadri for a duck to leave the visitors in trouble after five wickets.

Hillingdon failed to recover from the quick dismissals and the tailenders were promptly skittled out for a combined total of just nine runs.

Ascot set about chasing a target of 135 with Deep Mohain (14) and Patel (15) but both were dismissed by Giles Harper (3-28). Nick Sweetman, in at number four, top scored with 32 not out but Hillingdon gifted 34 runs in extras to the hosts, 24 of which were wides, as Ascot coasted to 136-5 in just over 36 overs.

The 20-point win puts them sixth in Division 3a ahead of a trip to Chalfont St Peter on Saturday (1pm).