Following both teams losing their Saturday opposition, Reading RFC 3s very kindly came up the motorway (as the A34 was again closed...) for a short notice fixture.

It was Gosford who started the better forcing an early penalty and pushing Reading back into their 22. From there a simple strike move of sending powerful centre Ed Clark straight into the Reading midfield saw the 12 bursting his way through and under the posts. Alfie Morton tapped over the simple conversion on a 5/5 day from the boot. 7-0

GAB scored next - this time using Ed Clark as a dummy runner, it was the other centre, Sonny Brebner who was able to run the hard line. With a couple of steps and shimmy he got himself clear to streak away from the cover defence. Another simple conversion for Alfie. 14-0

Reading started to get themselves into the game, but playing into the sun saw them lack a little accuracy at times. They did get some phases to stick, scoring a well earned try. 14-7

Play went back and forth a lot and was after a period of mixed pressure that ended with a little champagne rugby for the next score. A sequence of cracking offloads between Danny Rae, Teifion Jones and finally Rich Tyler saw Alfie Morton go over. The more difficult kick didn't challenge the fullback who added the extras. 21-7

It should have been 28-7 at half time, but GAB were held up agonisingly over the line, before a couple of errors left Reading with an easy run into the corner for a half time score instead of 21-12

Skipper Dickie's half time talk was all about sticking together, holding out Reading and extending the lead. Instead the opposite happened and Reading were allowed 2 soft tries working the hands well to exploit overlaps and take the lead for the first 21-24.

Gosford finally woke up and started to play. After strong phase play to get close to Reading line, a series of 'pick-and-go's sucked in the defence, leaving Jonny Campbell free to stroll over after quick hands from Rob Eynon & Alfie Morton and take the lead back. 28-24

The lead changed hands again when Reading scored. Again GAB left a flank exposed and Reading took full advantage to take a one point lead 28-29

Jonny Campbell scored his second to give GAB back the lead, receiving an unnecessary pass from Sonny Brebner when he was in which thankfully went to hand. Sonny himself getting a pass that Harry Paget wouldn't have normally thrown had he not just got back to his feet after an ankle injury. 35-29

Sadly Reading finished the stronger and score twice to take the lead back, and despite having a couple of chances to grab the lead back, Reading gained possession and kicked the ball out for a final score of 35-41.

Thank you to Reading for the game and we hope to make it down to you later in the season. You played the game in the right spirit - no whooping or any of the other crap that's seeping into the sport.

Tap Social Man of the Match: Tom Paine for a strong & lively debut at the base of the scrum.

Scorers:
Ed Clark: 1T
Sonny Brebner: 1T
A Morton: 1T 5C
J Campbell: 2T