A WONDERFUL century from Sukhi Kang inspired Reading to just a third victory of the season as they bolstered their hopes of staying in Division One of the Thames Valley League, writes Richard Ashton.

Kang's knock of 104 proved pivotal as they stunned Stoke Green by 78 runs, closing the gap to safety to just 17 points.

However, with the prospect of only one team being relegated, Henley 2nds are just 11 points better off than basement boys Reading, who have begun to show some form.

Alongside Kang, Sunny Jheeta compiled a useful 50 as Reading amassed 266-6 in their 52 overs, before spinner Max Uttley (6-64) showed his class to help bowl Stoke Green out for 192.

Reading face a key home game against fourth-bottom Slough 2nds this coming Saturday (12.30pm).

In Division 4a, Reading 2nds had a day to forget as they were thumped by seven wickets at home to Theale & Tilehurst.

Incredibly, the hosts won the toss and chose to bat only to find themselves 0-3 after Rahul Bharti, Michael Griesel and Shiva Aruna all departed for ducks.

It did not get much better as skipper Vikramjit Sidhu fell six runs later, and Mitun Patel then became Michael Holder's second victim to make it 14-5.

Pritesh Benawra (32no) offered the solitary resistance as Holder ripped through the lower order, ending with 6-6 in his 9.5 overs as six Reading batsmen in total fell without scoring.

Mohammed Jamil offered useful support with 3-30, while Reading's day was somewhat reflected by Amandeep Singh being run out as the last wicket.

Reading made three early breakthroughs courtesy of Hamish Scott, Singh and Benawra, but they never had enough to be competitive and Ash Mishra's unbeaten 38 saw Theale & Tilehurst home in 15.2 overs.

Reading 3rds fell victim to a fine run chase by Bradfield in their six-wicket Division 6b defeat.

Nat Narayanasamy (94) and Jack Ridley (89) added 159 for the second wicket as Reading declared on 244-3 from 51 overs, but they were made to regret that decision as Bradfield reached 247-4 in 41.3.

Reading 4ths collected 20 points in Division 9a after Thatcham Town 4ths conceded.