TEN-PIN bowling is not classed as a dangerous sport, but Reading City FC may be thinking differently following an unfortunate incident.

One of their players turned his ankle over while bowling and was forced to miss their match at Tuffley Rovers last Saturday.

His absence made it even tougher for City, but they still managed to record a 3-1 win.

There was a nice gesture by Tuffley as they arranged a minute’s silence before kick-off in memory of City joint manager Andy Findlay’s father who recently passed away.

Andy said he was “totally blown away”by the Gloucestershire club’s unexpected gesture, adding: “Grassroots football has shown its class.”

  • MARK Allum is stepping down as Berkshire’s director of youth cricket after eight years.

His decision comes at the end of another exceptional year for the county.

Highlights include Jack Davies representing England U19s and being an ever-present in the Tests and one-day matches against South Africa, while more than a dozen boys have played for the 2nd XIs of first-class counties with Martin Andersson, the ex-Reading player, and Tom Scriven making their 1st XI debuts for Middlesex and Hampshire respectively on the same evening earlier this month.

Allum’s role with Berkshire will be taken by senior coaches Tom Lambert and Stewart Davison, with Neville Wallace in charge of administration and Richard Hind looking after financial matters.

  • JOHN Reed, one of the most experienced and respected umpires in local cricket, will take charge of his final Home Counties Premier League fixture this Saturday.

As it’s the final round of matches, the league gave him the choice of fixture and umpiring partner – and John has plumped for his local club, Finchampstead, who host Banbury, with Ian Royle standing at the other end.

The good news, is John is not giving up umpiring completely.

  • BEST of luck to Reading University Boat Club duo Rory Harris and George Lawton who represent Great Britain in the double sculls at the European Rowing Under 23 championships in Belarus this coming weekend.