Oxfordshire were overtaken in the race for the Minor Counties Championship's Western Division pennant against Berkshire at Reading yesterday, writes Richard Tilley.

At the end of the first day, Rob Williams's men had lost the initiative to title rivals Dorset as they attempted to win their first divisional crown since 1991.

Three points clear going into the final game of the season, Oxon made 216-3 in replay to Berkshire's 225-6. The home side were then struggling at 9-2 in their second innings at the close of play.

In the process, Oxfordshire earned just five first innings bonus points, while in Wiltshire, Dorset bagged a maximum eight to draw level at the top.

And with a superior nett batting average the difference between runs per wicket for and the runs per wicket against the south coast county are now firmly in the driving seat. Barring some pretty remarkable scores today, Oxon's only real chance of topping the table now is for them to win today and for Dorset to either lose or draw.

Stewart Laudat was the star for the visitors, hitting 118, his first Championship century for three seasons. The last time he reached three figures was in 1997 against Berkshire at Challow & Childrey.

His elegant, chanceless innings of 133 on that occasion was the finest knock I have witnessed in Minor Counties cricket.

Yesterday's was nowhere near as fluent, but it was almost as good in its own way.

His latest hundred was made in the cauldron of a divisional decider and against former England off-spinner John Emburey on a turning pitch. Of course, Laudat produced the usual effortlessly glorious boundaries, but he also had to show grit and concentration qualities which are not always apparent in his batting.

Laudat and opening partner Craig Haupt made a fast start against the Berkshire seamers. But the run rate slowed when Emburey and left-arm spinner Neil Fusedale were introduced to the attack.

The slow bowlers came on in the sixth over of the innings, and they went on to bowl unchanged throughout.

Berkshire skipper Gary Loveday set very negative fields, but with Oxfordshire desperate for bonus points, attempting to frustrate the batsmen out was an understandable and legitimate tactic.

It certainly worked on Haupt, the Banbury batsman rushing down and getting stumped. But Laudat and Patrick Jobson played patiently, putting on 108 for the second wicket. Jobson was caught at slip and then Laudat holed out in the deep as Oxon, aware of what was happening in Wiltshire, pushed for maximum batting points.

And while they fell nine runs short of the required 225 mark at 50 overs, it was nevertheless a fine batting display in testing circumstances.

The same cannot be said of their bowling and fielding. Oxon looked jittery after Berkshire had won the toss and chosen to bat, with even Keith Arnold uncharacteristically loose in the early overs.

Arnold regrouped to claim three wickets, but he looked as unthreatening as he had done all season.

That all changed in the evening, however, as Berkshire stumbled to 9-2 in their second innings, Arnold taking his tally for the season to 59 wickets.

Oxfordshire must hope that Arnold is as effective again this morning and that Wiltshire do them a massive favour.

Corsham: Wiltshire 222 (V Pike 7-61) and 21-0, Dorset 252-9.