| It was not a happy return to the ground where Reading last won promotion to National League 3 back in April 2004. On this
occasion, against a newly-relegated but well organised Chinnor side, a combination of ill luck, a few errors and some baffling refereeing
decisions combined to give the home side a flattering 20 point win. |
| All started so well as Billy Bragg ran from well inside his own 22 to touch down after an interception after only a minute of
play. Reading’s lead was short-lived, however, as Chinnor’s Andrew McGuire went over after Reading had been turned over only 5 metres
from their line. Neither of these early tries were converted. |
| Reading enjoyed good territory and possession for much of the remainder of the first half despite being penalised on a number
of occasions, but could not turn this into points. It was Chinnor who capitalised in the 18th minute after a line-out on
Reading’s 5 metre line, Burrows scoring to make it 10-5.. |
| Chinnor finished the first half strongly, but infringements prevented them from increasing their score. |
| The home side dominated the next quarter of the game and produced some attractive flowing movements, but only
had a 49th minute try from Richie Williams to show for it. |
| A few missed tackles by Reading may have given Chinnor’s Powell the confidence to make his successful drop-goal attempt in the
66th minute to give his side an 18-5 advantage.. |
| From the drop-out, Reading showed that they were still to be reckoned with, inducing the home side to concede a scrum just
inside their 22. The neat passing movement that followed allowed Duncan Mollison to score Reading’s second try out wide.
An 18-10 score-line with only just under a quarter of an hour to play should perhaps have promised the neutrals in the crowd an
exciting finish.. |
| Chinnor came back strongly and with only 8 minutes remaining, Reading were penalised in their 22 after a Chinnor maul.
Reading’s Matt Dwyer seemed to go into the side as the maul was breaking, but somehow it was the dependable Grierson
(making a tackle on the Chinnor player breaking from the maul with the ball) who picked up a yellow card.. |
| Chinnor capitalised with Burrows going over for his second try to give his side a 23-10 advantage. Reading
then went on to concede a further 7 points with another Burrows try and rare conversion by Hewitt after ball was lost in the
Reading backs just outside their 22.. |
| Reflecting the outcome after the game, a dangerous high-tackle on Reading’s scrum-half Simon Dyson which was
worthy of a sanction much greater than a penalty, and a try from Nick Brooks ruled offside when at least 6 metres behind a kick from
Wallace, Reading supporters felt it was not their day.. |
| READING: Alex Blackstock; Nick Brooks, Alex Wallace, Seru Niubusaga, Duncan Mollison; Billy Bragg,
Simon Dyson(Tom Goodhew, 77mins); Richard Pryor, Paul Fisher, Andrew Grierson, Pete Lawless (Gary McLaughlin 51 mins),
Sean Kenneally, Paul Bowan, David Carey (Matt Dwyer 58 mins), Scott Heirene.. |
| MATCH DETAILS: 1 min Bragg try (0-5), 8 mins McGuire try (5-5) 18 mins Burrows try (10-5), 49 mins Williams try (15-5), 66 mins Powell D.G. (18-5), 68 mins Mollison try (18-10), 74 mins Burrows try (23-10), 79 mins Burrows try, Hewitt conv. (30-10).
Reading scorers: Tries - Billy Bragg, Duncan Mollison . |
| Ted Goodhew |