LONDON Irish put in a big performance in their European Challenge Cup clash, but it was not enough to stop a Toulon side who took control of Pool Two with a 37-17 success.

Exiles will have the opportunity for swift revenge when the same opponents visit Madejski Stadium on Saturday, and a win would reignite their fleeting hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.

Elsewhere at the club, Irish's AASE team finished on top in an end-to-end battle against Beechen Cliff to win their maiden league title, so congratulations to them.

It will be interesting to see how they progress in the future.

The story of the season to date, Rams, show no sign of going away from the National One title battle after securing a brilliant 26-19 bonus-point win at Sale.

It was another brilliant display from Seb Reynolds' men, whose pack were once again outstanding in helping build a 26-7 lead with eight minutes to play.

Despite a slight wobble, the visitors held on and are now just a single point behind leaders Rosslyn Park.

Third-placed Rams are at home to Plymouth Albion on Saturday.

My boys Reading chalked up another big win down at Didcot, scoring six tries in the process of a 41-14 triumph.

We have now won our last four games and have scored 188 points in winning the last three, so confidence is high and the lads are playing superbly.

This Saturday represents the midway point of the Southern Counties North season, and hopefully we can make it five wins on the spin at home to High Wycombe.

Sitting fourth in the table is encouraging, but hopefully we can kick on even further as the campaign develops.

Up the road at Rosehill, Reading Abbey climbed out of the bottom two with a 35-7 success at whipping boys Chesham.

They've got a massive game against second-bottom Didcot on Saturday, where one team will go into the Christmas break with a spring in their step and the other will be stuck in the relegation zone.

Lastly, Berkshire Shire Hall just keep on winning, their latest success a 36-12 victory against Tadley 2nds in their final game of the year.

They're now just a point behind leaders Aldermaston and hopefully them might go on to pick up some silverware in 2020.