1st XV V St. Ives

READING 1ST XV V ST IVES
22-17

After drawing a blank in their first two games Reading at last gained some points with a spirited win at St Ives. As club chairman Alastair McHarg summed it up after the game, “ we came with a side we knew was not our strongest but in the seven years I have coached at Reading that was as good a win and showing as much character as I have ever seen.” He added that lock Sean Kenneally had been outstanding and was pleased that towards the end the side had held on to the ball and controlled the final stages, preventing a home come-back.

Reading have become used this year to starting well, getting a lead and then fading in the second half. For a while it looked as if this might happen again. After 15 minutes Reading took the lead when centre Ben Sturge kicked a penalty from 45 metres. Five minutes later came another score as Simon Dyson took advantage of a good drive in the scrum to race away and touch down. Sturge converted and Reading were 10-0 up.

Five minutes later Reading scored another try as a well worked move in the backs resulted in winger Duncan Mollison going over. Sturge again converted and Reading were in control at 17-0 up.

St Ives persisted, however, and a yellow card for Reading lock Pete Lawless put them back in the game. Within 4 minutes before half time they scored two tries, one converted, to make the score 12-17 and then, with Lawless still off, centre Steve Evans scored another try after the re-start.

So once again Reading had started well, taken the lead and then surrendered it. From then on the game was nip and tuck, first the home side looking dangerous and then Reading replying. With Tony Young, Tom Goodhew, Tim Laverye and Tristan Haines playing their first match of the season and skipper Alex Wallace having to play blind-side wing all the time because of hamstring problems, Reading had to dig deep.

Then came a classic try. The forwards drove well and supplied good ball to the backs who moved it well for Duncan Mollison to go over for his second try. St Ives had their chances after this, dropping the ball when well placed but Reading closed the game down and held on well for a heartening win

SCORING SEQUENCE:
15 mins: Ben Sturge (pen) 0-3; 20 mins: Simon Dyson try, Sturge con (0-10)
25 mins: Duncan Mollison try, Sturge con (0-17),
38 mins Louis Stevens try, Matt Thomas con (7-17);
40 mins Jack Eddy try (12-17);
43 mins Steve Evans try (17-17);
63 mins Mollison try (17-22)

READING: Nick Brooks; Alex Wallace, Tony Young, Ben Sturge, Duncan Mollison; Tom Goodhew, Simon Dyson; Richard Pryor (Justin Coleman, 71 mins), Paul Fisher, Andrew Grierson, Pete Lawless, Sean Kenneally, Tim Laverye, Matt Davies, Tristan Haines.

Ted Goodhew