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Oxford survived a late scare before securing a two-wicket win over Reading at Roman Way to go back to the top of Division 2 West.

Having won the toss and opted to bowl, Oxford held Reading to 153-8 off 50 overs.

And it could have been even fewer but for a late rally by the seventh-wicket pair of Khalid Zafar Malik (43no) and Kashif Nasim (35).

Paceman Stuart Hole, with 2-13 off ten overs, was the pick of the Oxford attack.

Andrew Clough (37) and Stefan Van Dyk got Oxford’s reply off to a solid start, before Stewart Laudat (38) and Hole (31) closed in on victory.

However, Jack Beaven triggered a late flurry of wickets by taking 3-9, before Oxford crossed the line at 154-8 with four overs to spare.

Scores: Reading 153-8 (50 ovs, K Malik 43no, K Nasim 35), Oxford 154-8 (46 ovs, S Laudat 38, A Clough 37, S Hole 31, J Beaven 3-9). Oxford 25pts, Reading 5.