WITH more than 200 points separating the two sides, it was just a case of how long winless Reading would survive against HCPL Division Two champions elect Aston Rowant on Saturday.

Not surprisingly, it wasn’t very long.

They were shot out for 74 in 38.1 overs with the visitors requiring just 14 overs to seal victory, although they did lose three wickets in the process.

Electing to bat first, Reading did reasonably well even to reach that score, as they lost their first three wickets with only seven runs scored and half the side were back in the pavilion for 35, of which Qasim Ali contributed 14 from 54 balls.

Middle-order pair Milun Patel and Phil Brennan lifted the total to 57 before the former fell for 15, while Brennan was run out for eight.

Azeem Qayum struck two boundaries on his way to 11 off 10 balls, but the highest contribution to Reading’s total came from the 16 extras.

For Rowant, Leo Bethell captured 5-13 off 8.1 overs and Will Pendered had 3-8 off six.

Paceman Wesley Morrick didn’t take a wicket, but conceded only 10 runs off his 10 overs.

When the visitors replied, there was an early success for Amandeep Singh, who bowled Alex Jewell for just one with the total on 20.

The other two wickets to fall were claimed by Brennan (2-9 off two overs), who had Tom Condon caught by Abid Ul Wahab for 21 and then bowled James McDougall for 19.

George Reed (6no) and skipper Josh Smith (16no) eased their side home to a win that leaves them 16 points clear at the of the table with two games remaining.

Their nearest challengers are Thame, and it is they who come to Sonning Lane this Saturday for Reading’s final home game of the season (11am).

In the Thames Valley League, Reading 2nds suffered a seven-wicket defeat away to Royal Ascot 2nds in Division 4a.

Chris Priddle top scored with 30 in their all-out total of 99, but the day’s batting honours went Ascot’s way with Rob Handley making 40 and Dan Corsini 39 as they reached their target in 22.2 overs, Pritesh Benawra taking 2-22.

In Division 6b, Mark Spruyt scored 50 and skipper Graham Cassie 35 not out as Reading 3rds reached 190-9 in 52 overs, but it wasn’t quite enough as promotion-hopefuls Purley on Thames 2nds replied with 191-7 in 46.4 overs thanks largely to a fine unbeaten knock of 90 by George Wheeler.

Chris Dishington was the pick of the attack with 4-68.

Reading 4ths, without Julian and Hayden Wood due to a family holiday, lost to local rivals Sonning 3rds by five wickets in Division 8a.

Opener Jay Blaney scored 90 in the hosts’ total of 219, which included 42 extras.

Sonning skipper Nick Ray went on to do even better, finishing unbeaten on 99 as his side sealed victory in the 44th over.