READING scored three tries against Swindon on Saturday but leaked five as the visitors left with a bonus-point 27-15 win in South West One East.

The result leaves the Holme Park club in the third relegation spot – 10 points behind Trowbridge – and with just one win from nine games.

Clearly Reading need a bonus point win to cut that margin to five. After the Trowbridge game Reading have fixtures against the bottom two, High Wycombe (home) and Swanage and Wareham (away). Wins in these games could well narrow the gap further; Reading have the opportunity but can they take it?

On the evidence of Saturday’s game, Reading have potential but are inconsistent. The forwards struggled at times in the scrums but No. 8 Ashley Chapman tidied up well at the back.

The line-outs were also a good source of supply but by the time that Reading struck for their first try after 20 minutes they were already 10-0 down.

Swindon started the game at pace, prompted by fly half Adam Westall. Reading missed some first-up tackles and the visitors exploited the extra space to score two tries in the first 10 minutes.

To their credit the hosts recovered well, with Sean Kenneally prominent in catching the line-out for the drive which took Chapman over for their first try.

And 10 minutes later it was Kenneally who scored the second following a great piece of work by Fraser Banks who, receiving the ball in limited space on the right wing, used his footwork to dodge out then in to give the scoring pass to his teammate.

The scores were level at half time, but 10 minutes into the second period, Reading scrum-half Ray Mead’s tactical kick ahead was returned with interest with the wind behind.

This put Swindon on the attack and, although Westall missed a penalty attempt, Reading failed to keep the ball in the follow-up and conceded another try.

Mead had to leave injured soon after and Reading had to move Banks from wing to scrum-half.

Swindon took advantage and two more tries gave them a commanding lead.

It was Reading who scored last, however, as Peter Czernuszka, who had started at flanker but was now in the centre, showed plenty of power and determination to drive over on the right.

Reading visit Trowbridge in a crucial game this coming Saturday (2.15), and then face the bottom two sides – High Wycombe and Swanage & Wareham – in the following two weeks.

READING are spearheading a new development in the sport by backing Walking Rugby (pictured above).

The sport targets the over 55 age-group market and is a new, slowed-down, version of the game – especially for older people – and one that stretches participation on the pitch from six to 66-years-old and beyond.

“We are delighted to add Walking Rugby alongside our senior 15-a-side game and the 10’s, 7’s, Tag and Touch variations,” says Reading RFC’s former go-ahead chairman, player and long-time member Craig Hunter.

The rules of the game forbid running, and you are not allowed to pass the ball higher than shoulder height. There are no scrums, rucks, mauls or tackling

Players are not allowed to hold on to the ball for more than three seconds before passing, which gives the opposition a chance to intercept.

Tries are scored when a player walks over the try line carrying the ball. Games consist of four 10-minute quarters.

For all of those 50+ senior men and women interested, weekly sessions take place at the 1Life Loddon Valley Leisure Centre in Lower Earley, from 10am to 11.30am every Wednesday.

The cost is £2.50 per session.