READING made a disappointing start to the new Southern Counties North season as their defence was torn apart in a frantic first half hour of the game, eventually losing 41-10 at home to an impressive Marlow side.

The visitors’ strength was in the backs where long passes and swift backing up and running proved to be too much for Reading’s early-season defence.

Running and passing the ball from deep at great speed, Marlow scored tries in the sixth, 13th, 19th, 26th and 29th minutes to race into a 29-0 lead.

The first two tries were very similar, with the Reading defence being outflanked, the third try came after a scrum-half break, the fourth came from a break from within their own half and the fifth from a scrum in the Marlow 22, swift passing and running setting up the try.

The nightmare was halted as a period of forward pressure from Reading resulted in a try for skipper Charlie Davies to make the half-time score 29-5 to the away side.

Reading started the second half well, exerting a lot of pressure as Marlow, down to 14 men because of a yellow card, found it hard to contain the Reading pack.

Three minutes into the second half Reading opted for a scrum from a penalty given against the visitors and centre Grant Spears powered his way over in the corner.

This was as good as it got, though, as Marlow exploited further defensive lapses for two more tries.

Long-term official Alan Bright commented: “The score did not reflect the effort put in by the Reading team, which at times looked quite good, but until changes in style of play were made at half-time the defence struggled against a very useful attacking side.”

Experienced supporter Hazel Dilley said there was a “great improvement from last year.”

She added: “Yes they lost, but the second half was a good deal better than the first.

"They still do the odd kick when possession would have been better and they still do the long pass which fails two out of three times.

"Nevertheless, the season looks promising.”

It is these positives Reading need to take into their next game when they entertain Windsor at home next Saturday.

  • BERKSHIRE Shire Hall began their BB&O Championship season with an encouraging 22-8 victory at Phoenix last Saturday.

They will hope to build on that initial success when Winslow visit Sonning Lane this coming Saturday.