South West One

Reading 20 Weston-super-Mare 19

Reading's heavier pack finally gave their team victory by the narrowest of margins at Sonning.

Their superior scrummaging and their energy-sapping driving mauls set up two of their three tries and at the end, after Weston had responded superbly, they retained possession effectively to deny the visitors any more chances.

But the Seasiders played attractive rugby and their two first-half tries were skilfully executed.

In the 22nd minute a clean break by T J Madamombe gave Goran Vucicevic the touch-down and 10 minutes later, Vucicevic's pace produced a try for Paul Sprague.

James Reid converted both scores, but in between, after confusion in the ranks, Reading broke away from their own 22 for Tom Goodhew to score, and in first-half stoppage time,

Clinton Gibson converted a try by Matt Davies to leave Weston with a slim two-point advantage.

Reading's pack were now in the ascendancy and Al Blewett's try from another line-out drive gave them the crucial lead.

Weston's luck further deserted them when Bryce Noble was yellow carded for retaliation following a biting incident, and soon afterwards, Gibson's penalty took the score to 20-14.

But Weston were not finished. A superb counter-attack involving Matthew McQuaid, Sprague, George Sparks and Madamombe took the ball to the home line where replacement Hallam Smith appeared to have scored.

Referee Steve Johnson was unsighted, but with three minutes remaining, another concerted effort resulted in a try for McQuaid at the right corner.

Reid was unable to convert from the touchline and the Reading pack made sure they protected their single point advantage until the end.

Even though they missed a few chances in the first half, the Seasiders can consider themselves a trifle unlucky to have lost this match.

There were outstanding performances by Noble and Ashley Russell at the line-out and their back row of Kevin Hobbs, Michael Denbee and Sparks easily outshone the opposition.

Reading scorers - tries: Tom Goodhew, Matt Davies,Al Blewett; cons: Clinton Gibson; pen: Clinton Gibson

Weston-super-Mare:  G Vucicevic; M McQuaid, T J Madamombe, J Ewens, P Sprague; J Reid, L Hember (N Coleman 9-11); D Milenkovic, D Burge, S Williams (H Smith 25), B Noble, A Russell (H Smith 20-23, A Richards 61), K Hobbs, M Denbee.

Weston-super-Mare scorers - tries: Goran Vucicevic, Paul Sprague, Matthew McQuaid; cons: James Reid (2); yellow card: Bryce Noble

Referee: Steve Johnson