Dinton were the visitors to the Oxford Road ground on Saturday and won the toss, electing to bat on a testing wicket.

Hartley (5-62) enjoyed the most success for Reading but Dinton made their way to 232 all out, ensuring the hosts would have to bat well to secure victory.

But as has often been the case this season, individuals stood up and made themselves counted when the game was in the balance to help push Reading past the line.

Amardeep Dosanjh (61) made his half-century quickly to get the chase off to a good start, whilst Sukhmeet Kang (51*) played a sensible, patient innings to ensure Reading sealed victory.

Andrew Rishton (48) also contributed with runs as Reading reached their target with four wickets remaining to defeat fourth-placed Dinton.

And Hartley was full of praise for Dosanjh, Rishton and Kang, whilst warning other sides that Reading are yet to hit top form.

“It’s a pleasing win,” said Hartley. “But again we could’ve been better. We were a bit sloppy in the field and they got 30 or 40 runs more than we’d have hoped to but the batsmen did a great job in chasing them down.

“Amardeep got us off to a great start by scoring quickly which took the pressure off a little bit and Andrew Rishton added impetus, whilst his running between the wickets was excellent.

“Kang took responsibility and was one of the main reasons we won the game. He’s in good form with the bat after hitting 80 odd in his last outing.

“It’s a real positive to get over the line and again it’s fantastic to see people standing up and being counted but there is more to come.

“We’re yet to put together a fully complete performance but hopefully that all comes together soon and we’re still unbeaten despite not doing that yet which bodes well.”

Reading host Chesham CC, who are bottom of the Home Counties Division Two, on Saturday (11am).

Despite it looking like a formality for unbeaten Reading, Hartley will be treating the game like any other.

“They’re not a bad side,” added the Reading skipper. “One win would catapult them five places up the league so we have to be careful.

“Hopefully we play to our strengths and we are confident we can beat anyone when we do that but anyone can beat anyone in this league so we’ll be approaching this game as we would any one.”

It was a fantastic weekend all round for Reading as the 2nds, 3rds and 4ths all sealed victories in the Thames Valley League.

Reading 2nds moved to the top of Division 3b with an emphatic nine-wicket victory over Wooburn Narkovians at Sonning Lane.

Both Simon Andersson (5-49) and Robert Cassie (5-27) were instrumental with the ball as the visitors were dismissed for 78.

And it took Reading just 17 overs to reach their target as Sanjit Jheeta (43*) ensured they secured the win with minimal fuss.

Next up is a trip to Chesham 2nds on Saturday (1.30pm).

Reading 3rds ran out 48-run winners at Hayes 2nds on Saturday in Division 5b of the Thames Valley League.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat, with Timothy Walder (53) helping Reading to 234-7 from their 52 overs.

George Painter (63) briefly threatened to change the outcome of the game but when he was dismissed, Reading pushed on for victory and bowled their hosts out for 186.

Reading 4ths inflicted Eversley 4ths’ second defeat of the season in Division 8a on Saturday with a 15-run victory.

Jay Blaney won the toss for Reading and elected to bat, and he was grateful to Jay Blaney (31) and Jake Foster (69) who contributed over half of the runs that Reading scored as they were bowled out for 169.

But Eversley also struggled at the crease and Jack Wright (3-39) and Chris Dishington (3-26) ripped through the upper and middle order to leave the game in the balance.

The visitors needed just 19 runs with two wickets remaining but Dominic Boyce (1-6) and Shenica Gumbs (1-2) struck in quick succession to give Reading victory.