READING CC displayed some spirit and determination to dig themselves out of a hole to win by two wickets at Harefield on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

But they still need a miracle to avoid being relegated from Division One of the Home Counties League.

Harefield, without a win this season, are the only side below Reading in the table and there is a 32-point gap to third from bottom Great & Little Tew.

There are 60 points still up for grabs, but Reading’s three remaining fixtures could hardly be tougher – home to champions-elect Finchampstead this Saturday, followed by a trip to second-placed Banbury away a week later and then the final home fixture with High Wycombe, who are currently fourth, on September 3.

“They are three very big games for us, but we will do our best to win them,” said skipper Bobby Malik. “We will go on fighting to the end of the season.

“The win at Harefield is a boost and will improve confidence in the team.”

Reading did well to bowl out their hosts for 217 as they had been on 191-5 with 10 overs remaining.

Jack Beaven dismissed George Shiel, who had twice been dropped, when he was on 87 (off 99 balls) and the Reading paceman cleaned up the tail to finish with excellent figures of 5-30 off 9.2 overs.

Reading’s attack was weakened by the fact that Martin Andersson was unable to bowl in order to rest a back injury.

However, he did open the batting and made 22, but Reading’s problems continued as they slumped to 59-5 inside 13 overs.

Amardeep Dosanjh and Qasim Ali added 49 for the next wicket before Ali fell for 14 in the 13th over.

Teenager Sam Gemmill, who earlier had conceded 57 runs in his six overs of spin, joined Dosanjh, and they started to work their side into the game.

They lifted the score to 176 before Dosanjh was out for 70 (off 75 balls) in the 38th over.

Waqas Ahmed (1) was next man out at 184, but Gemmill, with 46 off 76 balls, and skipper Malik, who made 23 off 22 balls, guided Reading home with more than four overs to spare.

It gave them the double over Harefield, the only club they have beaten in the league this season.

Due to his holiday, Gemmill is not available for the home game with a Finchampstead side fresh from hammering Henley last weekend.

They are 25 points clear at the top with three games left, including one at Harefield.

  • READING 3rds crashed to a five-wicket defeat at the hands of Royal Ascots 2nds in Division 5b of the Thames Valley League.

They were bowled out for 157 with Shashank Narayanasamy their top scorer on 36. He then took 3-53 as Ascot replied with 161-5 in 42.5 overs.

The Sonning Lane men slip to second from bottom of the table with three games remaining, the first of which is home to the side immediately above them, Sonning 2nds, this weekend.

In Division 8a, Reading 4ths stay ninth after losing by eight wickets to promotion-chasing Windsor 4ths.

They were dismissed for 142 with the visitors reaching their target in 36.4 overs, Kieran Lall making an unbeaten 52.

This Saturday they visit Eversley 4ths in a game that will go along way towards deciding who finishes at the foot of the table.