THE first full Saturday of the new league season proved a beneficial one for our Reading-based clubs.

Redingensians Rams produced a comprehensive National League Two South performance to defeat London Irish Wild Geese, washing away the disappointment of their opening day set-back at Henley Hawks.

In a tough start for Rams, they next visit Worthing Raiders and also have trips to Chinnor and Tonbridge Juddians coming up.

I guess it evens itself out at the end of the day, but it’s definitely not the easiest way to start the campaign.

It’s much the same for my boys Reading with four of our opening six games away, although we managed an excellent win at High Wycombe last Saturday.

That should put the players in confident mood for the short trip over to Home Park and a crack at Windsor.

While the players did a great job they all, however, agreed we should have scored more points and new coach, Ben Wills, thought we should have scored a few tries.

All in all, though, it was a good start to the new season with our Vets side, the Rhinos, also winning their first league game against Bracknell 57-22, while, on Sunday, our Ladies side also had a big win over Harlequins Ladies, 45-12.

The players jubilation spilled over into the clubhouse later on Saturday night where we had a great night.

Our neighbours Reading Abbey put in a tough stint at home and ended the day with a close win over Windsor.

Both sides ended the day with some points and apparently there was very little to choose between the sides, particularly in the second half when both teams seemed to dominate in turn. A case could be argued that a draw might have been a fair result.

As for London Irish, they were comprehensively beaten by defending Aviva Premiership champions Exeter Chiefs away at Sandy Park, with Alex Lewington scoring a second-half consolation try.

Exiles are on the road again this week taking on Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium tomorrow (Friday). Let’s see if they can turn it around this week and kick-start a winning streak.