WHAT a Saturday it was for our local sides last weekend – all five posted a win.

Starting at the top, new Greene King IPA Championship leaders London Irish fought off the invading Cornish Pirates by posting a hard-earned 38-29 success.

It also saw popular wing Topsy Ojo break the club’s appearance record, trotting out for his 291st game in his 15th season at the club – well done Topsy.

Lets hope they can stay unbeaten from a tough trip to Jersey on Saturday.

National Two South pacesetters Rams also kept up their great run and jubilantly returned from Bristol with a 38-21 bonus-point defeat of Old Redcliffians.

It was their fifth win on the trot and they should surely be able to extend their run this Saturday when they take on eighth-placed Dings Crusaders at Old Bath Road.

As for my boys, Reading, we had a great 10-0 Southern Counties North win on home soil against previously unbeaten Wallingford.

It was our best display of the season as we had to withstand some periods of heavy pressure in the first half, but we ended the game well on top.

Coach Ben Wills was delighted with the controlled, intelligent, rugby we played plus our defensive work and the manner in which we dominated the second half, mainly played in the visitors half.

This Saturday we visit Aylesbury playing on their all-weather pitch and eager for a second consecutive win of the season and a first away triumph.

Reading Abbey also kept the local flag flying high by winning their fourth match of the season by comfortably seeing off visitors Stow-on-the-Wold, 30-11.

Their form will certainly be closely examined this week when they travel to Wallingford who will, no doubt, still be smarting from last Saturday’s loss.

The only Reading-based side on the move this weekend are Berkshire Shire Hall, who are due to visit ninth-placed Farnham Royal in BB&O Championship action. However, Hall, bucked by their 45-8 crushing of visitors Faringdon last Saturday, could possibly see themselves without a match as opponents Royal, without a win in six outings, pulled out of their scheduled game away to Aldermaston last weekend.

This Saturday also sees the kick-off to the Quilter Autumn Internationals with England facing their first match against South Africa at Twickenham.

With Eddie Jones' selection problems this is going to be a major test of the England squad's ability, but lets hope they can come out on top.