Talking Rugby with Andy Clark

I know people say to me `it’s only a game’ and, of course, they are right, but, when your club’s senior side is relegated, like my boys Reading have just been, it does hurt both the players and officials in the very short term.

Of course, there are other teams within the club plus all of the mini and junior sections, so any disappointment is soon dissipated and work resumes on keeping all sections of the club moving ahead.

And that, of course, will, unfortunately, be reflected across town at Rose Hill where Reading Abbey have also been relegated along with us.

I can’t ever remember two Reading sides going down together.

On the good news front, we have appointed a new head coach for next season.

Ben Wills is already putting together his coaching team for the 2017/18 season.

In normal hours Ben is an England RFU Player Development Officer and is a young, enthusiastic, person who, we feel, will bring the changes needed to turn things around at the club following our relegation.

Also on the brighter side, well done to Maidenhead, who have been promoted from South West One East, and Newbury Blues, who are now in the play-off against Clevedon which, if they win, will also be up for promotion, leaving not one Berkshire club left in that league as Windsor also lost on Saturday.

I think next season will be the first time that has happened in 30 years of league rugby in Berkshire.

Well done to Redingensians Rams, currently sixth in the National Two South table, who have kept the Berkshire flag flying high.

They wrap up their campaign with a trip to fourth-placed Taunton Tigers this Saturday and have performed really well this season. I know they will be doing everything they can to get into National One next time around.

Lastly, London Irish travel to Doncaster in the first leg of their Greene King IPA Championship play-off on Sunday.

They’ve dominated the league, so let’s hope they don’t blow it.