Reading went down to a heavy defeat to a strong Battersea Ironsides team to finish their interest in the Regional Plate competition. This game was moved to the all-weather pitch at the impressive Grasshoppers RFC ground because the Battersea pitch was not available this late in April.

This was Reading’s first game in four weeks after two free weeks and a walkover in the first round. Their opponents by contrast had beaten London Cornish 48 – 30 in the first round. Lack of match practice certainly showed in Reading’s performance against a much slicker outfit.

Battersea’s start looked ominous for Reading as they kept possession for the first four minutes eventually working an overlap to score an unconverted try. Reading however hit back firstly with a Jack Carling penalty and then with a try for Vincent Mose who was worked clear after a period of Reading pressure to give them a 5-8 lead.

Battersea were the next to score with a try from a line out drive and then a converted try when they ran back the subsequent kick off. Carling then kicked a penalty for Reading to make the score 17-11.

This to and fro continued with another try from Battersea and another Carling penalty in reply for Reading to take the score to 22-14. Before half time Battersea added a converted try from a good back move with their blindside winger running against the line to make the score 29-14 at the interval.

Although Reading had stayed in the game in the first half through Jack Carling’s penalties, they had only scored one try to their opponents’ five. By fifteen minutes of the second half Battersea’s good phase play and strong running had taken the game well away from Reading, scoring four converted tries to push their lead out to 57-14.

Reading replied with an unconverted try from Alfie Fryer after a good period of attack involving forwards and backs but that was the total of their scoring in the second half.

Battersea finished the afternoon by running in three more tries one of which was converted and added a drop goal for good measure to complete their victory over a well beaten Reading side.

Andy Arter, Director of Rugby, praised the team for keeping going and marked out Toby Sofidiya who had showed well in a defence that was often over-whelmed.

This is the first year there have been end of season cup competitions and further thought needs to be given to a structure that gives uncertainty of fixtures for the last six weeks of the season. It makes little sense that Reading have had only one away game since mid-march at a time when good weather traditionally brings out good crowds to fill the clubhouse.

Tries: Mose, Fryer

Penalty: Carling (3)

TEAM: Jack Carling; Vincent Mose, Tom Sharp(capt), Alex Murray-Smith, Jordan Gomez; Sam Bowers, Nathan Wheeler; Harry Wilson, Will Proctor-Searle, Alfie Fryer; Joe Clarkson, Ryan Smith; Tobi Sofidiya, Brandon Taplin, Rob Cunningham.

Replacements: Graham Young, Greg Jackson, Nick Portch