READING Raiders fell to a disappointing 30-8 defeat in their West of England League play-off semi-final at Swindon St. George on Saturday.

On a surface which was more reminiscent of Seville than Wiltshire, Raiders suffered from an imbalance of forward strength contrasted with inexperience amongst the majority of their backs.

As a unit, they struggled to counter the Swindon game plan, beyond the first 20-minute period before the first water-break.

With a three-quarter line-up decimated by regular first-choice players being unavailable on rugby union duty, it was always going to be an uphill battle for those who remained.

Raiders had to take the match to the forwards, in the hope this would be enough.

To Swindon’s great credit, they tackled ferociously as the game began to develop, with the Raiders’ powerhouse front-row bombarding the home defence.

With the experienced Reading pack, attempting to give a lesson in attrition by driving in to the Swindon line, they found the resistance solid and unrelenting as player-coach, Karl Temata, fellow front-rowers, Kerry O’Sullivan and Dave Abbott pounded in, tenaciously supported by George House and Simon Kalafusz.

Only former Household Cavalryman, Simon Evans, drafted out of the forwards, at left centre, was able to break the deadlock and respond to an early Swindon lead to bring the score to an encouraging 4 -4.

Momentum was lost, though, as Reading narrowly failed to capitalise with uncompleted sets, unable to add the final touches to their scoring opportunities.

When Swindon opened up and moved the ball out to the wings, they were at their most dangerous. The gaps appeared and Reading were punished mercilessly.

Swindon, last year’s finalists, knew they could be slick and creative with the ball and drive home their advantage.

The hosts scored three tries in rapid succession in an ominous second quarter to take their lead to 20-4, a touchline conversion and an unopposed winger’s try emphasising Reading’s inexperience on the right flank.

Substitute forward Ed House’s well-taken try, to rescue some hope and bringing the deficit closer at 20-8, only gave temporary respite to a pattern which brought two further Swindon tries for a 30 – 8 lead.

With Kalafusz sidelined with a shoulder knock, an accidental neck injury to Reading’s full back Chris Provost brought play to a halt and the curtain down on an afternoon of disappointment for a Reading team who had planned for a more even game after their previous 62-6 annihilation of a weak Swindon squad in their earlier league fixture.

Swindon now go on to face All Golds (Gloucester) in the final at Frenchay, Bristol this Saturday.

For Reading Raiders, the next few months will bring consolidation as they build on team strength and commitment, but they have a lot to feel satisfied about after their performance in their initial season in the West of England League.