Banbury's Division 1 title hopes were ended amid a crushing 147-run defeat away to mid-table Reading on Saturday.

Following their narrow defeat away to leaders High Wycombe the previous week, Banbury were already big outsiders for the championship.

Wycombe’s victory over Harefeld, means the crown will be decided by their trip to Henley this week.

Needing a gettable 234 for victory in this 50-over match, Banbury’s weakened batting line-up – without former Australian Test player Tim Paine – slumped to 86 all out.

After being put in to bat, Reading lost two early wickets but were rescued in a third-wicket century stand between Martin Andersson and Praful Waghela Andrew Rishton (59) then helped Andersson (90no) take the score past 200.

However, a late clatter of wickets – three of them falling to Ollie Wright – saw Reading limited to 233-8.

Only three Banbury batsmen reached double figures, as Ian Slatcher made the initial break through.

Leg-spinner David Hartley dismissed the middle order before Khalid Malik wrapped up the tail with 4-17 from 9.5 overs.

Banbury were all out for 86 in 31.5 overs.

Relegated Oxford gave Henley a huge fright before succumbing by just 12 runs to the defending champions at Roman Way.

In their best display of the season, Oxford restricted the visitors to 207-8 and replied with 195-8, leaving them still looking for their first win.

Henley were soon rueing their decision to bat first, as they slipped to 75-5 with seamer Will Rooney taking two wickets and off-spinner Harvey Eltham three.

Dave Allaway and Bjorn Mordt added 92 in a dogged sixthwicket stand while a final flourish saw them reach 207-8.

Rooney finished with 4-35 and Eltham 3-39, while Andrew Clough conceded only 19 runs in his ten overs.

Vishane Perera and Clough put on 66 for the second wicket to give Oxford hopes of an upset.

They collapsed to 112-5 before the innings was revived by a spectacular 55 in 32 balls from Freddie Simon, but his dismissal ended their chances.

Horspath’s survival hopes suffered a major setback with a resounding six-wicket defeat at Slough.

Will Eason’s side now need seven points from their final game at home to relegation rivals Tring Park next Saturday to be sure of staying up.

Put in to bat on a damp wicket, Horspath struggled to 134-8 off 50 overs against an accurate Slough attack.

Only Eason (32no) and Jimmy Phillips (31) made any headway, with skipper Bobby Sher, who took 3-25, the most successful Slough bowler.

Berkshire opener Waqas Hussain then hit 84 from 82 balls with 13 fours and a six to take Slough to 135-4 off 25.2 overs.