READING RFC deservedly beat a limited Oxford Harlequins side 29-17 with a strong second-half performance which gave them a first South West One East win of the campaign.

The try scorers were newcomer Harri Palmer-Edwards, a centre, and the ever-reliable wing Chris Greig, while Rob Sweeney converted both tries and kicked three penalties.

After he went off in the 60th minute Matt Smart came on and added two more penalties for Reading to win by a convincing margin.

The Quins were no push-over, however. They had real bulk in their pack and Josh Nicol did a stout job at loose head against a big opponent.

Their line-out was well-organised too, while outside their pack Quins had some good runners, both their tries coming from the elusive running of wing Jack Crowe.

Reading stuck to the task, though. Scrum half Curt Manukia and No. 8 Jon Cranton worked hard to make the best of scrum possession while Charlie Davies, Sean Kenneally and Rob Cunningham secured line-out ball.

As the game progressed Reading had more of the ball and Sweeney used this well to keep his side going forward.

Outside the fly half, Palmer-Edwards and Alex Dorliac made some good runs, while wing Stuart Borthwick was his usual combative self, once flying in off his wing to cut down a dangerous move in full flight.

The main offensive danger to the Quins, however, was Greig whose combination of speed, strength and elusiveness was always a threat.

It was Greig’s try, on 53 minutes, which restored Reading’s lead after the interval.

It followed a penalty attempt by Sweeney which came back off the post. Quins’s subsequent kick for touch found Greig 45 yards out with plenty to do but his power and elusive running took him straight through for a try.

Sweeney’s conversion and two subsequent penalties from Smart saw Reading home comfortably.

Earlier Palmer-Edwards had opened the scoring in the sixth minute following pressure in the away 22, a good ruck set up by Dorliac and Sweeney’s well-timed pass.

Sweeney (pictured left) converted to make it 7-0, but Quins came back with a converted try.

Sweeney and Sam Watkinson exchanged penalties before another effort from the Reading fly half put his side 13-10 to the good. However, just before half time a converted Quins try gave the visitors a lead at the interval.

But Sweeney’s penalty reduced the lead before he converted Greig’s try as Reading hit back, and Smart completed the scoring.