A brilliant 92 from debutant Nathan Hawkes could not prevent Banbury stumbling to their third successive defeat at White Post Road on Saturday.
Reading triumphed by six wickets to put a further dent in Banbury’s title hopes.
Having lost the toss and been put in to bat on a seamer-friendly pitch, Banbury’s top order struggled against disciplined bowling from Mike O’Sullivan and South African Adrian Greyvenstein.
However, Banbury’s young middle order rallied superbly to muster 220.
They were led by 16-year-old Hawkes, whose innings included two sixes, as he showed maturity far beyond his years.
Hawkes was ably supported by Danny Harding (35) and Olly Murray (45), and Banbury felt satisfied they had set a competitive total.
But they came up against some spirited Reading batting.
Banbury were in the game at 75-3, after Jimmy Phillips had removed Jonathan Perkins and Greyvenstein in quick succession,.
However, Reading captain Dave Barr’s excellent innings of 89 not out saw his side home with six balls to spare.
The Reading total, unusually, did not include a single extra.
BANBURY
C Smith b Greyvenstein…17
C Taylor lbw O’Sullivan…10
C Haupt b Greyvenstein…0
R Kaufman c Kirk b Greyvenstein…3
N Hawkes not out…92
D Harding c Barnes b Patel…35
I Tew c Kirk b Greyvenstein…0
S Beck c Barnes b O’Sullivan…4
O Murrey c O’Sullivan b Patel…45
S Launder c Barnes b Beavan…0
J Phillips c Fray b Beavan…3
Extras…11
Total (all out, 65.3 ovs)…220
Fall: 1-28, 2-31, 3-37, 4-42, 5-104, 6-109, 7-128, 8-212, 9-213.
Bowling: O’Sullivan 16-2-54-2, Greyvenstein 21-6-55-4, Patel 17-2-63-2, Beavan 12-1-40-2.
READING
J Perkins c Haupt b Phillips…55
D Barnes c Kaufman b Murrey…13
A Greyvenstein c Beck b Phillips…6
D Barr not out…89
S Fray lbw Kaufman…19
L Clayson not out…39
Extras…0
Total (4 wkts)…221
Fall: 1-24, 2-70, 3-75, 4-134.
Bowling: Launder 11-2-47-0, Murrey 7-1-28-1, Phillips 24-4-100-2, Hawkes 3-1-13-0, Kaufman 8-0-34-1.
ÝBanbury 6pts, Reading 25