It was a team performance to remember at Holme Park last Sunday when
Reading Ladies and Reading U18 Girls both defeated Dorset side Oakmedians in a thrilling double landslide victory - whilst the Under 15 and Under 13 Girls played training matches, which saw more than 100 female players at the club!

Reading Ladies bounced back from their tough defeat against London Welsh last week in a 43-5 victory that will see them go into their last match of the year against Supermarines in two weeks time on a high, whilst the U18 girls remain at the top of league after an equally thrilling, hard fought 41-0 victory.

The atmosphere was electric as Reading Ladies were welcomed onto the pitch with a Guard of Honour by all the U13, U15 and U18 Girls squads - and perhaps this is what made the difference following their defeat the week before as the Senior side took an early lead against their opponents. Despite the scoreline Oakmedians fought back with a strong performance from their 10 and some aggressive defence in the first half. However stand out performances from the Reading back line, including back of the match Aliena Archer who scored 15 of the 43 points, and strong running and scrums from the Reading pack - in particular Charlotte Hunt, who took forward of the match - meant they could not match the Reading side.

Meanwhile on the neighbouring pitch where the Reading Berks Baa Baas U18 girls were playing, the score didn't tell the story of a very tight game played with true rugby spirit, honesty and respect. A very committed Oakmedians side made the home team work for every point, with the key difference between the teams being the accurate finishing of sisters Ruth and Abbie Dow and Fullback Cat McNaney, ably supported by fantastic work rate and passing execution of the rest of the team. Oakmedians kept the work rate up for the whole match and they will be tough opponents in the rematch at their ground.

The Reading Reading Berks Baa Baas U15s squad were joined by an Oakmeadians squad unfortunately depleted by injury. However in true rugby style instead of a league game, the two squads were mixed and a 10s game ensued. The game provided each squad with the opportunity to play an open game with many opportunities to try all the areas covered in training. It was a fast and open game with all players participating in the spirit of the game. Both teams looks forward to a return match with greater number of players. The U13 girls were also without a fixture but their support was welcomed on the side lines and prior to the match they had barbarians style training session with other Berkshire sides as the area sees more and more young squads emerging.

Andrew Parsons, Reading U18 Girls Coach, comments: "And the winners on the day were...Women's and Girls rugby!"

Overall Holme Park saw 100 female players train and play on the club turf
across four age groups last Sunday - a sign that Women's rugby truly is developing and has deservedly earned it’s title as one of the fastest growing female sports in the country. As ever both the ladies and the girls squads welcome new players of all ages and abilities and training takes place on a Wednesday evening, details of which can be found at https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/readingrugbyclub/