Sat 30 Sep 2023
Reading Abbey II 24 Shire Hall 20
With their brand new playing kit, Shire Hall took to the field looking to build on their resounding last league encounter. Reading Abbey had won their opening league match as well, so the scene was set for a very competitive fixture. The game also marked Sam Watkins’ 200th 1st XV appearance. From the kick off, Shire took the game to Reading Abbey and made good inroads with some typical Will Jellicoe runs bouncing opponents off attempted tackles. It took only 4 minutes to breach the Abbey line when Laurie Moss went over and so the contest began. Rhys Stewart was unfortunate with the conversion, but Shire extended their lead after 12 minutes when James Pritchard outsprinted the cover defence to dot down. Again Rhys missed the conversion but Shire were well in control at this stage. Shire’s defence was sound and Abbey were unable to break through. Lineout work was solid and good ball was won at rucks. Rhys then landed a penalty to extend Shire’s lead to 13 points. After 30 minutes though, Abbey crossed wide to bring the score to 13 – 5. A further Abbey try on the stroke of half time reduced the deficit to just 3 points.
Half Time Score: Reading Abbey II 10 Shire Hall 13
The second half was a totally different story. In brutal words, Shire were poor in the execution of simple tasks. All the good work of the first half seemed to disappear and they resorted to aimless running and kicking. Abbey were putting tremendous pressure on the Shire defence and it was fortunate that they were unable to capitalise on Shire’s wastefulness. In fact, it was Shire who extended their lead after 66 minutes when Max Davies powered over from close range. It was only time in the half that Shire actually put some decent play together after a well-controlled driving maul. Rhys landed his conversion to give Shire a 10 point lead. Alex Webb then suffered a severe cut meaning he had to leave the field – our thanks to Reading Abbey’s medical team for their assistance. With 10 minutes left, game management was crucial but it was Abbey who went over to reduce the lead to just 3 points again. The last plays of the game were frantic, and it was Abbey who secured the win and a bonus point when Shire’s defence was again in disarray. This was a game that was well within Shire’s ability to win but the only saving grace was at least we secured a losing bonus point.
Final Score: Reading Abbey II 24 Shire Hall 20
Tries: Laurie Moss James Pritchard, Max Davies
Conversion: Rhys Stewart
Penalty Goal: Rhys Stewart
MOTM: Will Jellicoe
DOTD: Sam Watkins
With their brand new playing kit, Shire Hall took to the field looking to build on their resounding last league encounter. Reading Abbey had won their opening league match as well, so the scene was set for a very competitive fixture. The game also marked Sam Watkins’ 200th 1st XV appearance. From the kick off, Shire took the game to Reading Abbey and made good inroads with some typical Will Jellicoe runs bouncing opponents off attempted tackles. It took only 4 minutes to breach the Abbey line when Laurie Moss went over and so the contest began. Rhys Stewart was unfortunate with the conversion, but Shire extended their lead after 12 minutes when James Pritchard outsprinted the cover defence to dot down. Again Rhys missed the conversion but Shire were well in control at this stage. Shire’s defence was sound and Abbey were unable to break through. Lineout work was solid and good ball was won at rucks. Rhys then landed a penalty to extend Shire’s lead to 13 points. After 30 minutes though, Abbey crossed wide to bring the score to 13 – 5. A further Abbey try on the stroke of half time reduced the deficit to just 3 points.
Half Time Score: Reading Abbey II 10 Shire Hall 13
The second half was a totally different story. In brutal words, Shire were poor in the execution of simple tasks. All the good work of the first half seemed to disappear and they resorted to aimless running and kicking. Abbey were putting tremendous pressure on the Shire defence and it was fortunate that they were unable to capitalise on Shire’s wastefulness. In fact, it was Shire who extended their lead after 66 minutes when Max Davies powered over from close range. It was only time in the half that Shire actually put some decent play together after a well-controlled driving maul. Rhys landed his conversion to give Shire a 10 point lead. Alex Webb then suffered a severe cut meaning he had to leave the field – our thanks to Reading Abbey’s medical team for their assistance. With 10 minutes left, game management was crucial but it was Abbey who went over to reduce the lead to just 3 points again. The last plays of the game were frantic, and it was Abbey who secured the win and a bonus point when Shire’s defence was again in disarray. This was a game that was well within Shire’s ability to win but the only saving grace was at least we secured a losing bonus point.
Final Score: Reading Abbey II 24 Shire Hall 20
Tries: Laurie Moss James Pritchard, Max Davies
Conversion: Rhys Stewart
Penalty Goal: Rhys Stewart
MOTM: Will Jellicoe
DOTD: Sam Watkins
