LONDON Irish's return to European action ended up as a disappointment when they went down 20-16 at Scarlets in the Challenge Cup.

It was a much-changed Exiles side which picked up a losing bonus-point, and they'll hope to return to winning ways when Bayonne visit Madejski Stadium this Saturday.

In National One, Rams lost at home for the first time in the best part of two years when they went down 23-10 to Old Elthamians.

It was a rare sub-par performance from Seb Reynolds' men, who just couldn't get going and even ended up conceding a try bonus-point from the last play of the game.

The fixtures schedule sends them to basement side Canterbury this Saturday, and I'm sure they'll be hopeful of producing the kind of display which has so far earned them seven wins from 11 matches at this exalted level.

My boys Reading had a fantastic 63-8 Southern Counties North victory at Bicester.

Having shown tremendous defensive heart to wrestle a low-scoring win against high-flying Aylesbury the week before, the lads displayed another side of their game with a nine-try attacking feast.

The hosts just couldn't deal with the pace and power of our boys, and a special mention must go to scrum-half Callum Cload, who bagged a hat-trick on just his second start.

As long as players remain available and fit we can certainly be confident for the future.

This week we are at home to second-bottom Chesham, so let’s hope we pull off another big victory .

Reading Abbey went down 34-15 to Aylesbury which must have hurt and moves them closer to the relegation zone, which is not the place they would have wanted to be at this part of the season.

This week they are home to Bicester so let’s hope they get a positive result.

Berkshire Shire Hall just keep winning, albeit this week it came against our 3rds.

They made it six games unbeaten as they smashed us 90-0 in Berks, Bucks & Oxon Two South, collecting a try bonus-point within the first 15 minutes of the match.

This win moved them up to third place in the league, but only two points from the top spot. This week they have Slough 2nds at home.