READING RFC’s depressing South West One East losing run continued as they went down 11-5 to visitors Banbury in a close game at Holme Park.

Ultimately Reading lost because of their inability to penetrate a very well organised defence as each side scored just one try each – the difference being that Banbury’s second-half ascendancy brought them two penalties to win the match.

There was much to be positive about in Reading’s performance. The front row of Josh Pallett, Alex Watson and Josh Nicol did well in the scrums and their own line-outs were also reliably won.

At scrum half, Nick Portch played very well and Matt Hills, a very early replacement for Rob Sweeney at fly half, showed a high level of skill and commitment.

Well as Reading played, however, they found the visitors’ defence very strong and they were never able to sustain the kind of attacking spells needed to break this down.

Reading played against the wind in the first half and within seven minutes found themselves five points down, Banbury left wing Callum O’Shea touching down wide out.

The hosts came back from this and came close to scoring after taking a strike against the head. But a dropped pass led to Banbury counter-attack and the opportunity was lost.

On the half hour, however, Reading levelled the scores when some good passing and backing up led to a deserved try for Portch. Banbury came back and it took a good tackle from Alex Dorliac (pictured) to ensure the scores were still level at half time.

With the wind at their backs in the second half, Reading could consider themselves to be in a good position.

However, the visitors took a greater grip on the game, driving through the forwards and running hard in the backs. Reading defended well but were unable to put the ball where they needed to be, deep in the Banbury half, and pressure from the visitors led to two Banbury penalties, successfully kicked by scrum half Ed Phillips.

These proved to be the only scores in the second half and Reading were left with just a bonus point for their efforts.

Reading visit Chippenham in a clash of the bottom two on Saturday (3pm).