LEG-SPINNER Shamilal Mendis shone for Oxford in their battling draw at Reading.
Chasing Oxford's 204-9, Reading got off to a flier with the openers putting on 50.
However, two quick wickets just before tea brought Oxford back into the game.
And then the visitors took control with Mendis revelling in the favourable spinning conditions to take 4-68.
Mendis was given good support by evergreen Rupert Evans and Joe Porter, but Reading's tail-enders saw the home side to safety at 178-8.
Earlier, Oxford skipper Jason Harrison decided to bat after winning the toss, but they soon found it hard going.
With some uneven bounce and prodigious turn, Oxford had lost four wickets by lunch.
However, with some determined batting from the lower middle order, they batted out their 66 overs to post a competitive total, Porter top-scoring with 35, while Adam Cook made 32.
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