READING Ladies were beaten 27-7 at Supermarine in the National Cup on Sunday.

The hosts took an eighth-minute lead courtesy of a converted try from a pushover scrum, and their powerful pack repeated the trick twice more during the first half, albeit the second score – in the right-hand touchline – was not converted.

The first 20 minutes after the restart was more of the same. Supermarine’s powerful and well-drilled side had most of the possession and territory, with Reading’s stubborn defence holding firm and frustrating the home team’s attacking attempts.

Eventually however, the sustained pressure led to an inevitable score with 55 minutes on the clock. Another long Smallwood kick bounced just inside the touchline and was claimed by the Supermarine fullback. She ran powerfully through the tiring Reading defence, dodging several tackles to score the fourth Supermarine try.

Reading’s defence held out for another 10 minutes more before yet another Supermarine try came from the scrum to make it 27-0.

However, the away side did secure a consolation late on.

Emily Smallwood kicked long to find touch inside the Supermarine 22 and after Nicole Maynard won the line-out, Lil Knight, Ella Povey Smallwood, Laura Hearn and Sam Campbell all made good runs with ball in hand.

After waves of pressure and penalties conceded by the hosts, the yellow card was shown.

Rachel Chidgey’s penalty went to the forwards who surged ahead with Kendal Beckingham powering over the line between the posts before Hearn converted.

  • READING men play Thatcham in a league game for the first time at Holme Park on Saturday (3pm).

The Southern Counties North encounter is is being used to honour ex-Reading coach Mike Tewkesbury, who took Reading into the national leagues in the 1990s.