The omens did not look good. The last time Windsor were at home they beat Maidenhead 60–0 and this looked like it could be worse.

However, Reading recovered, scored a try before half time and three more afterwards to get within five points before a tiring team conceded one more converted try before the end.

Nevertheless, they picked up a four-try bonus point and will take pride from the strength of their comeback.

Reading’s difficulties with availability continued when veteran Andy Silvey was persuaded to leave the bar and join the team as a replacement.

At the other extreme, young Colt Matt Smart was called in to make his debut at fly half.

There was little surprise Reading’s defence was not immediately up to its usual standard.

During the early period Reading had their share of the ball and territory but were suckered by counter attacks from the speedy Windsor backs, conceding five tries, three converted, in rapid succession.

Gary Morgan and Jack Graves both crossed twice for the home side, with Ben Anderton also dotting down. Neil Baggett landed three conversions to put the hosts 31-0 up.

Reading were being overwhelmed, and it is to their credit that they stopped the rot.

Before the first half finished Smart, who became more and more influential, finished off a move initiated by scrum half Luke Harding from a tap penalty. This made the half-time score 31–5.

Then came a spell of Reading ascendancy as the second half progressed. Harding was pulled up just short of the line and another possible try was prevented by a Windsor deliberate knock on – a yellow card but no penalty try. From the subsequent scrum No.8 Tim Macnaughton drove over for his first try of the season which was swiftly followed by his second when he picked up 10 metres out and powered through several tackles to touch down. Smart provided a good conversion.

Another try came as Reading hooker Jack Lynch drove over from a lineout. Smart’s touchline kick brought Reading to just five points behind and potential victory.

Reading continued to have the better of the game territorially, but Windsor had the last score, from yet another counter attack, when Rhys Davies coasted over, to finally end the visitors' hopes of plucking victory from the jaws of defeat.

Nevertheless, it was a great all-round effort from Reading whose sloppy start left them with too much to do against a promotion-chasing Windsor.

Smart impressed on his debut and could keep his place for Saturday’s home fixture against Bletchley (2.30pm).

Meanwhile, Silvey, 46, made his first-team debut as a second-half replacement. When Windsor came to present their opponents’ man-of –the-match award, Silvey was the only Reading player still in the clubhouse and was handed the prize.

Reading: Murray Smith; Shaw, Czernuszka, Spears, Borthwick; Smart, Harding; King, Lynch, Roberts, Champ, Kenneally, Baker, Jones, Macnaughton. Reps: Smith, Pryor, Silvey.