SKIPPER Jonny Cater again showed his battling qualities as Oxfordshire had the worse of the second day of their Western Division match against Berkshire at Wargrave.

After conceding a first-innings lead of 89, the visitors were in danger of a two-day defeat, when slipping to 46-4 in their second innings.

But Cater (32no), who made a century in the first innings, dug in and with support from Ollie Clarke took his side to

109-5 off 60 overs by the close – a lead of 20.

Oxon lost control of the game in the last ten overs of the Berkshire innings, which produced 90 runs.

Spinner Joe Thomas had contained them well, taking four wickets in a long spell.

But when he had to come off with cramp during his 38th over, the home batsmen took full advantage.

He was replaced by Leo Bethell, whose 2.1 overs went for 33 runs, with 23 coming from his final over.

The Aston Rowant seamer finished with nightmare figures of 0-58 in 4.1 overs.

After Berkshire’s innings closed at 388-7, Oxon soon lost Tom Condon and England Under 19 player Harrison Ward – his second failure of the match.

Harry Smith and Jordan Garrett soon followed, but Clarke, whose 27 came off 112 balls, and Cater ensured the match went into a final day.