THIRD-FROM-BOTTOM Reading put in a brave display as they went down 29-11 at Southern Counties North leaders Windsor, albeit the visitors actually won the second half 8-7.

Windsor had, however, sewn the game up in the first half, going 12-0 up in the first 10 minutes, 15-3 up by the half hour and 22-3 in the lead by half-time.

The hosts had power in the forwards and speed in the backs and after their fine start looked to run up a score close to the 48 points they scored at Holme Park earlier in the season.

Reading have improved since then, though, and they had the better of a second half in which they were much more threatening.

When the game started Reading exerted the early pressure, but a stray kick straight into touch gave the ball away and Windsor ran back fluently for a try in the corner.

It was not long before the Windsor backs again showed their pace as they ran in a try from deep, this time converted.

Gradually Reading began to put their game together.

The forwards put in a good shift, with Ryan Smith, Rob Cunningham and Charlie Davies leading the way and fly-half Alex Murray-Smith looking to use the powerful running of centres Alex Dorliac and George Dear. Making a welcome return to the side was winger Chris Greig and he was always a danger.

A good spell of driving by the forwards set up a 27th minute penalty which Nick Burch kicked to put Reading back in the game at 12-3, but by half time Windsor had kicked a penalty and scored a 40th-minute converted try to lead by 19 points.

The second half proved to be a much more even affair.

Ten minutes into the half great running by the centres Dorliac and Dear set up the opportunity for replacement scrum-half Guillaume Janine to touch down.

A penalty from Burch soon after closed the gap further and a likely try was missed as Charlie Davies’ pass to Greig was just behind the wing after a great run from the No. 8.

Another promising attack ended when a fine kick through to the line went just too far. It is on such little things that results can hang and Windsor rubbed it home by scoring a late try from a scrum 10 yards out.

Reading coach Ben Wills was pleased with much of the play, but will be concerned about injuries to front row players in particular before the home derby match against Reading Abbey on Saturday (2pm).