| Two tries from Henley Hawks ace Chris Simmons, making his debut for Reading on loan, were not enough to prevent a ninth South West One Division defeat, putting the Holme Park men in a parlous league position at the half way stage of the season. Four points adrift from safety they will need to put together a very good run, starting with their visit to Redingensians,
themselves being dragged near to the relegation zone, in two weeks’ time. |
| Reading made a great start to this game, playing against a stiff breeze, when a superb second minute backs move saw full back Alex Wallace racing into the line at speed to open up the visitors’ defence. Wallace passed on to winger Andy Tweedie whose inside pass sent Simmons gliding in under the posts for a try which Tweedie converted. |
| This was a fine start but Cleve are a good side and Reading mistakes and
defensive frailties let them back into the game. In the 6th minute Reading were penalised
for preventing release and a lineout catch and drive ended with a try for lock Steve
Hunt. Three minutes later Reading were penalised again on their own 22. This time the
visitors threw the lineout ball long and the defence went missing as centre Ollie
Pritchard went over. Twelve minutes later Cleve scored again as a cleanbreak opened up
the home defence again for winger Nathan Huntley to score.
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| Fortunately for Reading none of these tries were converted and Reading came
back after another Alex Wallace break led to an attacking lineout. From the lineout quick
ball came out to Simmons who shrugged off his tackler to power over under the posts.
Tweedie’s conversion put Reading just one point behind at half time with the elements
in their favour for the second half. |
| Hopes were high especially when Simmons’ long raking kick stood up for new
winger Dan Ratu and it took desperate defence by the visitors to prevent a score.
Cleve concentrated on keeping the ball tight and preventing Reading getting quick ball
but when they were penalised for pulling down after 52 minutes Tweedie’s kick put
Reading in the lead. |
| Reading’s tactics were now obvious – to use the wind to put the ball in the corner
and pressure from there. However, the Cleve pack began to monopolise the ball and they
drove gradually into the Reading half. It was a tough battle up front and Reading had
a ten minute spell defending their own line against intense pressure before the visitors
changed tactics, spun the ball out and centre Jonathan Pritchard scored under the posts,
fly half Matt Spencer converting. |
| There was no way back now and a resurgent Cleve polished things off with
Ollie Pritchard’s second try. There is no doubt that, on this display, Cleve are one
of the best sides in the league. Nevertheless, Reading will feel that this was a lost
opportunity. |
| Apart from Simmons and Ratu, newcomer Ledua Jope was impressive at number
8 and it was good to see the return of Andy Evans in the centre. |
| READING: Alex Wallace; Andy Tweedie, Chris Simmons, Andrew Evans (Nick Brooks, 73 mins), Dan Ratu; Billy Bragg, Tom Goodhew; Richard Pryor, Paul Fisher, Andrew Grierson, Matt Davies, Sean Keneally, Scott Heirene, Dan Phillips, Ledua Jope.
Reading scores : Tries; Simmons (2) Cons: Tweedie (2) Pen: Tweedie (1) |
| Ted Goodhew
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