READING RFC prevented old rivals Reading Abbey from doing the South West One East double over them when picking up their first win since September with a nail-biting 20-16 victory at Sonning Lane.

It was a close-run thing as the visitors pressed dangerously in the last five minutes, but Reading held on as an Abbey knock-on ended proceedings.

Reading won largely because they had the better of the tight and were thus able to dominate for long periods.

The Abbey line-out was upset, largely by Reading No. 8 Charlie Davies, and the home team also scrummaged more impressively.

Davies skippered the Reading side and his fine play in all aspects – line-out, scrummage and loose play – made him the outstanding player on the field.

Also totally committed and influential in his contribution was Stuart Borthwick, a serviceman playing his 43rd – and last – game for the team, as he has been posted elsewhere.

In the past few seasons he has scored 12 tries and played in every position in the back division, all to a high standard.

Also important for Reading was the returning fly half, Rob Sweeney, whose kicking out of hand did much to keep his side on the front foot. He also converted both of Reading’s tries, kicked two penalties and hit the post with another.

It was the visitors who made the better start to the game as scrum half Will Bevan did well to spot a gap from a ruck 20 yards from Reading’s line. Darting through at speed he raced over for a fine try, which wing Olly Walton converted.

Almost immediately from the subsequent kick off Abbey were penalised and Sweeney kicked the first of his penalties. The rest of the half saw Reading dominate possession, with the visitors having to attack from distance when they had the ball.

Finally, on the half hour, Reading turned this territorial dominance into points as prop Josh Pallett dived over in the corner following good forward pressure.

Sweeney’s conversion from the touchline gave Reading a three-point lead but, within minutes, Walton kicked another penalty to bring the scores level at 10-10 at half time.

With what wind there was now at their backs, Abbey made a good start to the second half and on the hour seemed to have the game under control as Walton kicked two more penalties to give his side a 16-10 lead.

The turning point was Chris Greig’s 64th-minute try. Centre Alex Dorliac caught an Abbey clearance on the half-way line and surged through the visitors’ mid-field.

He then linked twice with Greig who ran in his 10th try of the season. Sweeney’s 75th-minute penalty proved to be the last score and Reading had won for just the third time this season.

Reading acting head coach Paul Boulard was quietly positive after the game, saying: “I was pleased with the work ethic. We are trying to instil a clear game plan to win matches and this is beginning to happen. Hopefully the team will get confidence from this and take it into the future.”

Reading host Swindon on Saturday (2.30pm), while Royal Wootton Bassett visit Reading Abbey (2.30pm).

  • BERKSHIRE Shire Hall reached the final of the Junior Vase with a 33-17 win against Farnham Royal.

They visit Harwell in the BB&O Championship on Saturday.