READING CC endured a chastening afternoon as they were thumped by 140 runs at title favourites Cove in Division One of the Thames Valley League, writes Richard Ashton.

Reading won the toss and elected to field, but they were unable to make any early inroads and James Marsh and Stanley Marisa put on 61 for the opening wicket.

Dan Katuri made the breakthrough when he had Marisa caught by Curran Gaur, and Firaz Amjad (2-37) then had Neil Randall stumped by Kurt Fletcher to leave Cove 102-2.

Amjad grabbed his second wicket when Neil Marsh fell with the score on 162, before Amandeep Singh bowled Najeeb Malik to make it 191-4.

The returning Ian Slatcher had Ravi Gilbert caught by Billy Rogers, with the fielder then turning wicket-taker when he removed Sri Lankan Ranitha Liyanarachchi, caught by Katuri.

At the other end, though, James Marsh (100) remained unbowed, recording an excellent century until he was the seventh man to fall with the score on 235, Singh taking the catch off Rogers.

The former Finchampstead man – who ended with figures of 3-35 from his 10 overs – also bowled Kazim Naqvi as Cove ended their innings on 248-5 from 50 overs, beneficiaries of a generous 31 extras from the Reading bowlers.

Gaur (20) and Pav Chima put on 36 for the opening wicket as the visitors set a steady base, but it all unravelled rather quickly after that as Naqvi (4-31) induced a collapse to 49-4.

There was little resistance from the lower order aside from Katuri's 19, and eventually Reading were knocked over for a mere 108, Liyanarachchi claiming 2-25 and Malik 2-18.

Reading host Stoke Green this Saturday.

Reading 2nds eased to a fine five-wicket victory at home to Royal Ascot 2nds in Division 4a.

Ascot could only reach 165-8 in their 45 overs, and Khurram Mahmood’s unbeaten 88 fired his side to victory with 20 overs to spare.

Reading 3rds suffered a 68-run reverse at Finchampstead 4ths in Division 6b.

Vishaal Kumar (2-40), Hatib Khan (2-42) and Aditya Srinivasan (2-44) bowled well as Finches were restricted to 242-7 in 45 overs, but despite Khan's 38, Reading were bowled out for 174.

In Division 9a, Reading 4ths (161) lost by five wickets to Maidenhead & Bray 4ths (162-5).

Ajmal Safi top scored for Reading with 32.