READING Abbey gained a first-ever victory at Reading's Holme Park and completed a seasonal double with a 25-14 Southern Counties North success on Saturday.
It was not a result which looked likely for much of the first half when Reading had the greater share of possession and much of the play was in the visitors’ half. Both sides were struggling to find cohesion, however, as handling errors and frequent penalties held up the flow.
Eventually, however, a strong run by Reading flanker Ed Dixon set up a try for centre Alex Dorliac to touch down. Nick Burch’s conversion, via the crossbar, gave Reading a 7-0 lead.
However, things went downhill for the Holme Park team from then on.
The kick-off was dropped, gifting the visitors the ball and leading to a penalty kicked by Ollie Walton.
Abbey now began to take control. Inspired by an excellent performance by No. 8 Max Courtnage, they pushed up the intensity and controlled the rest of the match. Shortly before half time Ed House touched down for his team to reach half-time with an 8-7 lead which had looked unlikely.
The second half belonged to Abbey. They started the half with the best try of the match as fly-half Arron Ross worked a great set-piece move for Jules Greenaway to race over.
Still they kept attacking and they nearly made the line again, a knock-on ending the move before Courtnage drove over for a well-deserved try, converted by Walton. Their next try came from a Reading scrum near their own line when Reading lost control of the heel and George House profited with a try in the corner.
At 25-7 down, Reading came back with Chris Greig just failing to stay inside the touchline in the corner as he touched down and Nick Burch scoring a late consolation try after some good controlled Reading possession. His conversion finished the scoring.
Reading visit Slough on Saturday, while Abbey travel to leaders Windsor.
l BERKSHIRE Shire Hall gained an excellent 15-13 victory at Faringdon in the BB&O Championship.
BSH have a week off before journeying to Harwell on Saturday, January 26.
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