IT was a mixed weekend for our local sides, but London Irish at last recorded back-to-back wins with a 24-17 triumph against Russian side Krasny Yar in their temporary home of Georgia.

Sadly it wasn’t enough for Exiles to progress, but it should give them some confidence ahead of this Saturday’s Anglo-Welsh Cup clash at home to Wasps.

Here at home we had some terrible weather conditions and I don’t think the people who wash the shirts would have enjoyed trying to get the mud out. It was actually amazing so many games got played.

Sadly, Redingensians Rams suffered a second straight National Two South defeat as they battled bravely in a 26-5 defeat to leaders Cinderford, who have now lost just once in 19 games.

Rams fought hard in the first half, going into the break all square, but they struggled to find their feet after the interval, spending almost the entire second half camped in their own territory, for which they were eventually punished.

It was their sixth defeat of the campaign, but they are still third in the table as their closest rivals Taunton Titans, just a point adrift of them, lost 38-22 at Redruth.

Rams host Tonbridge Juddian on Saturday.

As for my boys Reading, we, too, were on the wrong end of the scoreline, losing 27-10 at Southern Counties North leaders Beaconsfield.

There was a great effort from the forwards, and with returning skipper Charlie Davies – playing just his second game of the season due to injuries – leading the way with an outstanding individual performance, it was a much-improved performance overall and should give the lads much confidence for this week’s game at home to Stow-on-the-Wold.

They are one place and six points below us in ninth so it would be nice to extend the gap.

Reading Abbey ensured a hat-trick of defeats as they went down 26-7 at home to second-placed Buckingham, but they should find things more to their liking when they travel to whipping boys Drifters this week.

The one bright spark on the local scene came from Berkshire Shire Hall, who beat visitors Farringdon 27-15 to solidify their sixth place in the BB&O Championship.

Lastly, on the international front, the Six Nations Championship is now only a week away and what a tournament its going to be.

Does anyone really know who is going to win it?

There is a great opportunity for any of the teams, but there’s added incentive for England who will be looking to become the first country to win the Six Nations three times in a row.