RAIN almost certainly prevented Reading 2nds from losing away to Falkland 2nds in their Thames Valley League Division 3a clash on Saturday.

After being put in to bat, they were skittled out for just 70 in less than 25 overs ​with extras being the main contributor on 19.

Reading slumped from 30-2 to 37-7 ​ and their ninth wicket tumbled at 42 before Salman Khalid (13) and Chris Dishington (11no) added 28 for the ​last wicket.

Falkland’s destroyer​-in-chief was Gul Afridi, who took 8-35 in 12 overs, trapping opening pair Adam Trigwell (11) and Khurram Mahmood (1) lbw,​ while clean bowling six batsmen.

​A heavy downpour stopped ​the home side from replying and the match was abandoned, ​which left each team taking seven points from the encounter.

Reading 2nds are away to Yateley 2nds this Saturday, with both sides looking for their first win of the season.

Only 37 overs were possible in the Division 5b game at Sonning Lane, with Reading 3rds making 119-4 against fellow unbeaten side Bagshot 2nds.

Nat Narayanasamy (32) and Pav Chima (64) shared an opening stand of 55, while Chima and Michael Griesel (17) later combined to put on a useful 57 for the third wicket.

With three games played, Reading are third in the table behind Royal Ascot 2nds and Bagshot, but ​the trio are locked together on 57 points.

Reading 3rds are home to Maidenhead & Bray 2nds this weekend.

The Division 8a match between Datchet 4ths and Reading 4ths also fell victim to the wet weather after the home side had declared on 202-7 off 44.3 overs.

Peter Brant made an excellent 80 off 77 balls before becoming one of Sam Gibbs’ (4-48) victims.

Reading 4ths are away to Royal Ascot 4ths this Saturday.