AS Reading RFC chairman, it was a great shame the cold weather put paid to our South West One East derby against Reading Abbey on Saturday.

We were all geared up to try and secure a win in Paul Boulard’s first game as acting head coach, but 30 minutes before the kick-off the referee deemed the pitch unplayable.

I know the team were gutted not to get a game and it will now take place on February 4.

On the plus side, we held our annual honours cap get-together and awards day lunch, and it was good to see so many old faces at the club.

Only three games took place in South West One East, with the title contenders Maidenhead, Newbury and Old Patesians earning victories of varying ease against Chippenham, Newbury and Banbury respectively.

It was a bad day for London Irish as they suffered a first defeat of the season in a 26-24 British & Irish Cup reverse against Ospreys Premiership Select. They’re still into the quarter-finals, but they’ll want to preserve their unbeaten Greene King IPA Championship at Ealing Trailfinders on Saturday.

Redingensians also came up short in controversial fashion at Chinnor. With less than a score between the National Two South sides, the referee blew for full time with three minutes left on the scoreboard, leaving the away fans somewhat miffed.

Rams are still safely in mid-table and face a long journey to lowly Barnstaple, who they beat 31-20 earlier in the season.

Meanwhile, my Reading boys also have a lengthy trip when we travel to Royal Wootton Bassett, hoping to avenge our 14-11 defeat on home turf.

Abbey, with just a draw to show for their efforts from their last four games, visit Witney, who they beat convincingly 22-7 at Rose Hill.

And last but not least, Berkshire Shire Hall put in a brave display at BB&O Championship leaders Faringdon, only to slip to an 18-11 defeat. A losing bonus-point wasn’t a bad return, though, and they will hope to topple Farnham Royal this Saturday.