READING RFC’s nightmare South West One East season ended with a 55-7 reverse at Old Centralians on Saturday.

Following their confirmed relegation a month ago, Reading have had a nightmare run of fixtures, playing top team Maidenhead, second team Newbury and fourth-placed Cents, and with all of these teams playing fast, open rugby, Reading have shipped 162 points in the three games.

They were 36-0 down at Cents, but managed to compete with spirit in the second half, conceding three tries but scoring one of their own, fittingly through hard-working skipper Jon Cranton, Ray Mead adding the extras.

Reading’s cause was not helped by a sixth-minute injury to star back row forward Charlie Davies, who was unable to take any further part in the game. Already by then the home team had shown their intent to use the fine conditions to run the ball from all over the field and Reading, punished in the early scrums, found themselves chasing shadows.

Under pressure, Reading did not always help themselves. Cents’ first try came after they ran back a Reading clearance which went straight to the left wing; the second followed a penalised scrum; tries three and four came from fine play from the backs; the fifth try came after the scrum was penalised; the sixth, just before half time, from a counter attack after a Reading effort faltered and the ball was lost.

In the second half the visitors’ scrum was driven back and a home try quickly followed and 10 minutes later try number eight took the score to 48-0.

To their credit, and driven on by the noisy contingent of the second team whose game had been cancelled and who had travelled in support, Reading continued to work hard, culminating in a well-deserved try for Cranton. Mead’s conversion completed Reading’s scoring, but the home team managed one more converted try just before the end.

Overall, the Reading team had worked hard but were outpaced and outclassed. The only phase in which they matched their opponents was in the lineout, with Sean Kenneally and Rob Cunningham holding their own.

Reading will compete in Southern Counties North next season.