READING CC were unable to stop Finchampstead’s charge towards the Home Counties Premier League Division One title but at least they did not go down without some late resistance, writes Dave Wright.

Once the visitors had posted 280-4 in their 50 overs, the match looked virtually over as a contest – and that was made even more certain when they lost their first eight wickets for just 66.

However, three batsmen decided that they were not going to allow the champions-elect to walk all over them and between them they put on 106 for the last two wickets.

Jack Beaven led the way with 61 off 55 balls, while 14-year-old Salman Khalid made 27 off 66 and last-man Chris Dishington remained unbeaten on 34 off 43 deliveries.

The only other home batsman to reach double figures was Firaz Amjad with 16.

Reading finished on 172 to leave Finchampstead the winners by 108 runs.

The villagers’ success in their first season since being promoted has been largely due to the outstanding exploits of all-rounder Jandre Coetzee – and the South African again starred at Sonning Lane on Saturday afternoon.

He blasted the depleted Reading attack for 63 off 41 balls and followed up with 5-33 off 10 overs.

In the Finchampstead innings he shared an unbroken stand of 96 with Adam Dewes, who made an excellent 102 off 126 balls.

Earlier, Dewes and Dan Lincoln (39) had put on 77 for the fourth wicket.

The Reading wicket takers were Beaven (1-64), Bobby Malik (1-59) and Qasim Ali (1-53) – all off their maximum 10 overs – and Phil Brennan 1-32 off seven.

While Finchampstead can clinch the title by beating Slough at home this Saturday, Reading will be relegated if they lose at third-placed Banbury in their last away fixture of the season.

Reading 4ths swapped places with Eversley 4ths at the bottom of Division 8a of the Thames Valley League after losing to them by nine wickets.

They managed only 115 (UI-Haq 36; Colin Webb 4-32) before seeing their hosts knock off the required runs in 30.3 overs with Jon Last making a fine 72.

Reading complete their home fixtures this weekend by playing Bagshot 3rds.