SLOUGH 2s moved up one place to third position in Division One of the Thames Valley League after a seven-wicket win against Reading at Upton Court Park on Saturday.

After winning the toss, the visitors lost openers Pav Chima and Khurram Mahmood for six apiece – both to Nadeem Syed – before Qasim Ali and off-season signing Billy Rogers rebuilt.

Ali became Syed’s (3-29) third victim when he was caught by Ali Ahmed, and when Sukhi Kang was bowled by Naveed Akhtar (4-38) for nine, Reading were in deep trouble.

Firaz Amjad, skipper Mitun Patel and Tom Davies all failed to reach double figures, and when Rogers’ (35) brave resistance was ended by Wakas Ahmed, the writing was well and truly on the wall.

Numbers nine and 10 – Shahbaz Choudry and Dani Katuri – became only the third and fourth players to pass 10, but when they both fell for 12, Reading had been dismissed for only 124.

The visitors needed early wickets to give themselves any hope, but openers Ahmed (16) and Yaqoot Rafiq (17) gave Slough a reasonable platform until they fell lbw to Rogers and run out respectively.

Any hopes of a shock turnaround for Reading were short-lived, though, as Sajid Hussain made 56 before being caught by Katuri off the bowling of Choudry.

By that point the game was basically over, however, and Mohammed Avas made an unbeaten 24 to seal victory after 27 overs.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Slough 2s opener Ali Ahmed made 16 runs at Upton Court Park on Saturday.

Slough make the journey to sixth-in-the-table Henley 2s this Saturday.

Slough 3s have moved into the top-half in Division 4B following their seven-wicket win at home against Beaconsfield 2s.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first, reaching 118-7 from 52 overs. Luke Shepherd top-scored with an unbeaten 70, while captain and opener Mike Stafford made 44 and number three Simon Ward added 20.

Ali Baig was the pick of the Slough bowlers with figures of 4-37 including the wickets of Ashley Bishop, Dion Blair and Denzil Owen all for ducks.

The hosts reached 189-3 from 33.4 overs in response and for the win. Opener Sami Kazim led from the front with 82 runs, backed up by Uzair Majid (43) and Geyhas Khan (27).

Grab a copy of the Observer today for more match pictures plus all the latest sports news and action.