THE Berks & Bucks Senior Cup final is getting ever closer – it's scheduled for Monday, May 6 – but this week Reading FC were still waiting to hear who they will be playing.

Originally, it was Marlow, but they were booted out for playing two ineligible players in their semi-final win over Slough and the latter were reinstated.

The Bostik League club, managed by Reading-based Mark Bartley, appealed against the decision and, as of yesterday (Wednesday) were still waiting to hear the outcome.

Bartley has done a good job at Marlow, guiding them into the South Central Division play-offs, where their rivals include Bracknell Town.

READING Women narrowly missed out on reaching the FA Women's Cup final, losing to West Ham on penalties in the semi-final, but the Berks & Bucks FA will be represented at Wembley a week on Saturday, May 4, when the Hammers play Manchester City.

The B&B's referee development officer, Lisa Benn, will be the fourth official.

READING City's visit to Longlevens would usually attract a crowd of around 50, but, remarkably, 331 spectators filed through the Saw Mills turnstiles last Friday.

Most of them were ground-hoppers enjoying their annual Hellenic League tour led by Chris Berezai.

The Longlevens game was the second of 13 games in five days, which started at Almondsbury on Thursday evening and concluded at Tuffley Rovers on Monday.

But on Easter Monday it was back to normal for Longlevens with just 48 paying to see them beat Binfield.

ENGLAND Hockey have chosen Reading Hockey Club to host their boys and girls' Under 18 Tier 1, 2 and 3 and U14 Tier 1 championship finals on May 11-12.

They have previously been staged at Lee Valley in east London.

The change of venue is particularly good news for Reading Boys' B team as they have qualified for the U18s Tier 3 final which will be the first game on the Sunday, starting at 9am. They will be taking on Kent club Marden Russets.

Saturday, May 11, could be a particularly busy at Sonning Lane as the cricket club have two home fixtures arranged for the same day.