| After a slow start, during which they found difficulty in coping with
the running of visiting full-back Warren Abrahams and conceded a lineout try by Joe
Thomas, Reading recovered to take this South West One fixture by the scruff of the
neck and take one more step towards avoiding relegation.
|
| Maidenhead took the risk of opting to play against the wind in the first half and when they were 5-0 to the good after twenty minutes it seemed the strategy was working. But by half time Reading were 22-5 ahead and a
try within minutes of the re-start put them out of reach, especially as increasing rain made handling more difficult. |
| The second half was indeed compelling as the Maidenhead forwards put in some good drives and worked hard against a formidable Reading pack but outside half back the visitors had little to offer and Reading were pleased to keep a clean sheet during this period. |
| Early in the game Reading’s inability to cut down Abrahams early meant that Maidenhead took the initiative and
it was after one of his runs that Reading conceded a penalty in their 22 which the visitors kicked to touch for Thomas
to drive over. Tweedie then missed a 40 yard penalty as the Reading forwards brought them back into the game but put
one over on 20 minutes after a great forward drive and strong running from Peceli Nacamavuto. |
| Two minutes later Taniela Ratu touched down after the Maidenhead backs lost possession and the Reading
winger hacked through to score. Tweedie converted and Reading were on their way. Nine minutes later Maidenhead were
penalised near their own line, Reading took the lineout and hooker Paul Fisher drove off the side of the maul to score,
Tweedie converting. |
| Reading were gaining the lead they needed with the elements in their favour and shortly before
half time improved things further when a backs move which looked to be going no-where was revived by a loop from fly
half Billy Bragg to score. |
| Maidenhead looked to take the initiative in the second half but were rocked back within two minutes as
Nacamavuto chipped through for Ratu to take advantage of a good bounce and race over for his second try. |
| With the rain pouring down the game became a fascinating contest between two driving packs. Much of the game
was spent in the Reading half but Reading’s potential threat was highlighted on 56 minutes when Tweedie and Alex Wallace
exchanged passes and took play right up to the visitors’ line. This led to a five metre scrum from which Number 8
Ledua Jope touched down to complete the scoring and cement a resounding win. |
| The basis of the win was a solid performance by a pack of forwards who made very few mistakes and were
supported by backs who defended well and carried a constant threat in attack too. . |
| HOW THE SCORING WENT: : 13 mins Thomas try (0-5), 20 mins Tweedie pen (3-5), 22 mins Ratu try, Tweedie con (10-5), 31 mins Fisher try, Tweedie con (17-5), 36 mins Bragg try (22-5), 42 mins Ratu try (27-5), 56 mins Jope try (32-5) |
| READING: Alex Wallace (capt); Andy Tweedie, Peceli Nacamavuto, Andy Evans, Taniela Ratu (David Choules, 72 mins); Billy Bragg, Simon Dyson; Ricky Reeves (Matt Weller, 24-34 mins), Paul Fisher (Matt Dwyer, 58 mins), Andrew Grierson (Matt Weller, 62 mins), Ben Wright, Sean Kenneally, Alan Blewitt, Matt Davies, Ledua Jope. |
| SCORERS: Tries: Ratu (2), Fisher, Bragg, Jope
Cons: Tweedie (2) Pens: Tweedie (1)
|
| Ted Goodhew |