SOUTH BERKS FIGHT BACK TO SALVAGE POINT

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

South Central Men’s Premier 2

SOUTH BERKSHIRE 1s had to settle for a point in an entertaining eight goal bout with title rivals Haslemere.

Alex Sykes was on hand to give South Berks the lead after 20 minutes before Peter Swan doubled the advantage just four minutes later.

Haslemere came fighting back and scored two quickfire goals to ensure the first period ended 2-2.

The visitors scored twice more to race into a 4-2 lead, but South Berks grabbed a goal back from Jack Baveystock to make it 3-4 and Ravi Patel netted in the 68th minute to ensure the home team secured a point.

South Berks are in third place on 25 points from 14 games, three points behind second placed Haslemere.

South Central Women’s North Division One

READING 3S stay in top spot after they collected their 13th league win of the season after they defeated Oxford 4-2.

SOUTH BERKSHIRE 1s picked up three points on their away visit to Aylesbury to maintain their spot in second.

Goals from Kelly Hancock and Ella Martin meant that the visitors earned their 10th win of the campaign with a 2-0 success.

South Berks are six points behind league leaders Reading 3s after 15 matches.

South Central Men’s North Division 2

READING 4s climbed up the table after they scored six in an away win at bottom side Thame 1s.

The 6-3 victory for Reading means they move ahead of South Berks 2s into 10th position with their third league win of the season.

SONNING 2s were on the end of a narrow defeat away at Windsor 1s.

The loss means that Sonning are in seventh on 14 points from 14 games after losing four of their last five matches.

SOUTH BERKSHIRE 2s dropped down a place after they lost out at home to Abingdon 1s.

The 2-1 defeat leaves them just one place and six points above bottom team Thame.

inaccurate pass Matt Daw scooped it up and showed the Stow defence a clean pair of heels running in a try from his own 10 metre line. Sharp converted to give Reading a 14-0 lead.

Stow threatened again from the kick off but handling errors and indiscipline let them down. A penalty gave Reading a lineout in the Stow 22 from which they launched a series of attacks eventually working an overlap for Dorliac to score in the corner. Sharp converted with a good kick to make the score 21-0.

Stow came back well at the end of the half and when Reading gave away possession some slick passing found a gap in the Reading defensive line resulting in a converted try making the score at the break 21-7 in Reading’s favour.

The second half started with Stow attacking to try to reduce the deficit and the Reading defence holding out. The dominant Reading scrum giving them an easy option to relieve pressure.

Stow did not help themselves and continued to give away penalties and from one of these Murray-Smith found a touch deep in the Stow 22.

From the resulting line out Smith forced his way over for Reading’s fourth try and a bonus point. Sharp converted with another good kick.

As in the first half Stow responded well and after a number of phases they crossed in the corner for an unconverted try.

Both sides had their chances from this point.

Dorliac for Reading was just overhauled after a long run. Stow’s handling continued to let them down but they did manage a breakaway converted try.

In the last 10 minutes, both defences were dominant and neither team could make anything off their possession with Reading holding out for a 28-19 win.

This was a significant win for Reading which showed for the second home game in a row their ability to beat teams in the top three of the league.

As well as the scrum dominance there were good performances from Egan and Smith who were willing runners and always put their team on the front foot.

Head coach Lee Goodall was proud of the resilience the team showed and not allow Stow back in the game. He was also pleased that Reading are now moving up the league towards the top group of teams.

Reading are at home again next Saturday to Swindon.