| 1ST XV V BRACKNELL 32 - 3 |
| Reading battled bravely against the South West Division One league leaders on Saturday but ultimately lost out to a team with power up front, particularly in the lineouts, and a competent back division, well led by fly half Jervis Manupenu. Reading’s injury crisis continued as winger David Choules had to go off with a recurrence of a knee injury and centre Andy Tweedie went off with an ankle injury. With Reading’s backs resources stretched to the limit they ended up with just fourteen men and three flankers in the backs. |
| The game was effectively won in the first 17 minutes. Reading have not been good starters this season and they were behind after just six minutes as former skipper Graham Sparks touched down from a lineout catch and drive. With the home pack driving well down the slope they continued to dominate. Ben Nowak kicked a penalty and converted winger Nick Shears’ try after the winger had exploited space down the blind side of a ruck. |
| At 17-0 up Bracknell were coasting but Reading never gave up. As coach Alastair McHarg summed up afterwards; “I have nothing but praise for the players. They worked hard and actually outfought Bracknell in the rucks.” New flanker Jimmy Corten caught the eye, Andy Grierson made some charging runs, Matt Davies was prominent when playing wing or flanker and flanker Dave Carey did a good job as wing and centre. Number 8 Scott Heirene was his usual combative self. |
| The side was well led by centre Alex Wallace, playing well in attack and defence, while fly half Billy Bragg had a good game, mixing long passes to his backs with some shrewd kicking. The backs did, indeed, put together some good passing movements and it took some solid Bracknell defence to prevent a try. |
| Reading could have scored more points from penalties but opted for attempted lineout drives instead. However, Bracknell’s lineout work was better organised and when Reading opted for a five metre scrum instead Bracknell wheeled the scrum and were given the put in – a strange decision from an otherwise very good referee. |
| There were no more scores until after 60 minutes when Tweedie and Nowak exchanged penalties and it was only in the last ten minutes, when Reading were disorganised by injuries, that Bracknell were able to stamp their authority with two further scores. Lock Jason Borchards touched down another lineout catch and drive while the admirable Manupenu also raced over. Nowak’s conversion ended the game. | Despite the defeat skipper Alex Wallace was up-beat after the game. “We have got to believe in ourselves now. We are a good side and we must start well against Cleve next week.” With fourth-placed Cleve visiting Reading next week and the away derby with Redingensians two weeks later Reading will be hoping for better luck with injuries as they look to turn their season round. |
| READING: Alex Blackstock; David Choules (Justin Coleman, 55 mins), Alex Wallace (capt), Andrew Tweedie (Tim Laverye, 57 mins), David Carey; Billy Bragg, Tom Goodhew; Richard Pryor, Paul Fisher, Andy Grierson, Gary McLoughlin (Lawless, 45 mins), Sean Kenneally, Matt Davies, James Corten, Scott Heirene |
| Match facts: 6 mins Sparks try, Nowak con 7-0 15 mins Nowak pen 10-0 17 mins Shears try, Nowak con 17-0 32 mins Dan Ap Dafyd (Bracknell) yellow card 38 mins Rudal Aiono (Bracknell) yellow card 51 mins Tweedie pen 17-3 54 mins Nowak pen 20-3 71 mins Borchards try 25-3 80 mins Manupenu try, Nowak con 32-3 |
| Ted Goodhew |