Off-spinner Paul Jeacock’s five-wicket haul was not enough to bring bottom club Horspath a much-needed victory at home to Reading as their Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League Division 2 West clash ended in a draw.
Having posted 217-9 after being put in to bat, Horspath had Reading on the rack at 47-5 at tea.
But they were unable to press home the advantage as the visitors held out at 140-8.
The draw leaves Horspath adrift at the foot of the table – 19 points from safety with three games left.
Jeacock sparked the collapse by trapping openers Shelvin Gumbs and George Greed lbw, before going on to take 5-27 off 23 accurate overs, with 12 maidens.
Seamer Mark Skelton provided good support with 3-47, but Tom Fray and Sukhi Kang held Horspath up, before Luke Beaven saw the visitors to safety.
Earlier, opener Joey Todd hit a fine maiden Home Counties half-century in Horspath’s innings, and Tim Hutchison weighed in with 43 in his last game before returning home to Australia.
Left-arm seamer Jamie Hoddle spearheaded the Reading attack, taking 6-53 as his father, Glenn, the former England football manager, looked on from the boundary.
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