READING men achieved their best result of the season so far by holding Old Georgians to a 4-4 draw at Sonning Lane on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

In a highly-entertaining Premier Division match, the Blues led four times, only to be pegged back on each occasion.

They remain without a win in 11 games, but their third draw of the campaign will certainly boost their hopes of moving off the bottom rung of the table.

Seven of their former players were included in the Old Georgians squad who are third in the table, but now with little chance of catching runaway leaders Surbiton.

Stuart Loughrey, in the second minute, Charlie Ellison (18th), Max Heaver (25th) and Andy Oxburgh (42nd) netted for Blues, with the visitors replying through ex-Reading duo Tom Carson (ninth) and Matt Richards (21st), followed by James Tindall (40th) and Ashley Jackson (59th).

This coming Sunday, Blues host Beeston (2.30pm) in their final game before the mid-season break.

Reading 2nds' fixture at Witney in the MBBO Regional One was postponed, but the 3rds did them a favour by beating Ashford 3-1 thanks to two goals from Jackson Corry-Duff and one from Toby Robinson.

Reading Chronicle:

Emma Thomas snatched a last-minute goal to earn Reading ladies a 3-3 draw with Isca on Saturday.

Jo Ellis and Beth Marriott both scored in the opening 12 minutes, but replies from Paris Gasson and Kath Holdgate left the scores level with just 15 minutes on the clock.

Isca, third-bottom in Division One South standings, took the lead through Imogen Lea's penalty corner in the 43rd minute and they stayed ahead until seconds before the final whistle when Thomas netted from a penalty corner.

Blues remain second in the standings, but have now slipped seven points behind unbeaten leaders Wimbledon at the halfway stage of their league programme.

They play their final game of 2019 when they host bottom-of-the-table St Albans at Sonning Lane on Saturday (4.30pm).

Sonning men made it eight wins out of 10 in MBBO Regional Two by defeating West Hampstead 2nds 4-1 with goals from Ian Gallagher, James Manser and Noel Plant (2).

The table-toppers take on last-placed Wycombe 2nds at Bisham Abbey on Saturday (2.30pm).

In MBBO Division One, seventh-placed Sonning 2nds lost 3-2 away to Staines 2nds, with Steve Crowther and Elliott Wise their scorers.

Sonning ladies were given the day off as their South Clubs' League Division 3a fixture at Milton Keynes was called off due to a frozen pitch.

This Saturday, they are away to Harrow, who top the table with 24 points, eight more than fifth-placed Sonning.

Sonning 2nds defeated South Berkshire 2nds 2-0 at Cantley Park to share top spot with Phoenix & Ranelagh in the Three Counties League Premier Division Two.

The local rivals are on 25 points after 10 games, but P&R have a superior goal difference of 12.

This Saturday, Sonning host neighbours Reading Rockets, while P&R visit Oxford 3rds.