Sat 27 Jan 2024
Shire Hall 64 Reading III 0
After the demolition of league leaders Reading Abbey in their last match, Shire Hall were looking to extend their good form against a Reading side who had run them close in their previous meeting. Things did not start well as in the very first play, James Pritchard suffered an injury forcing him from the field . Fortunately, Shire had the luxury of 4 finishers so this did not affect the team. As usual, Shire scored an early try when the blind side specialist, Ollie Homan-Green, crashed over after some good work by the forwards. Ten minutes later an outrageous side step from prop Max Davies wrong footed the Reading defence to score close to the posts which was converted by Rhys Stewart. Another four minutes passed when Euan Mclaren danced over from close range to give Rhys another simple conversion. The try bonus point was secured after just 25 minutes when Rhys Stewart sprinted to the line and then converted his own try. On the half hour, yet another strong run by Gwyn Robins saw him go over but this time Rhys Stewart could not convert. Then a penalty awarded to Shire was quickly taken by Euan Mclaren which caught the Reading defence out and he crossed for Shire’s 6th try of the half, converted by Rhys. In the last play, it was Jamie Cockerill’s turn to score his first try of the season and this was converted by Rhys. An excellent first half but this could have been more if Shire’s ruck ball had been quicker.
Half Time Score: Shire Hall 45 Reading III 0
The second half began with an immediate score for Shire when Arun Luis charged down an attempted Reading clearance and regained the ball and go over. This try was converted by Rhys Stewart which brought up his 100 points for the season. James Pritchard returned to the action, replacing veteran Neil Evans thus reducing the average age of the team! With Shire so far ahead it was somewhat predictable that they took their foot off the gas and allowed Reading to get back in the game. Some good tackling thwarted the opposition but Shire were unable to repeat the flowing rugby of the first half. It took another 20 minutes for Shire to get back on the scoreboard when, yet again, ‘blind side’ Ollie went over his second try which Rhys Stewart converted. One more score was added when James Pritchard bamboozled the Reading defence with fast feet. Rhys Stewart failed to add the extra points as his attempt cannoned back of the upright.
With Reading Abbey losing to High Wycombe, Shire now sit 2 points off the top of the league with a game in hand. The importance of the return fixture with High Wycombe in March takes on a real significance – beat them and we win the league! Simples!
Final Score: Shire Hall 64 Reading III 0
Tries: Ollie Homan-Green (2), Euan Mclaren (2), Max Davies, Gwyn Robins, Jamie Cockerill, Arun Luis, James Pritchard, Rhys Stewart
Conversions: Rhys Stewart (7)
MOTM: Max Davies – an awesome performance with great tackling and ball carrying and that side step try
DOTD: Not awarded!!
After the demolition of league leaders Reading Abbey in their last match, Shire Hall were looking to extend their good form against a Reading side who had run them close in their previous meeting. Things did not start well as in the very first play, James Pritchard suffered an injury forcing him from the field . Fortunately, Shire had the luxury of 4 finishers so this did not affect the team. As usual, Shire scored an early try when the blind side specialist, Ollie Homan-Green, crashed over after some good work by the forwards. Ten minutes later an outrageous side step from prop Max Davies wrong footed the Reading defence to score close to the posts which was converted by Rhys Stewart. Another four minutes passed when Euan Mclaren danced over from close range to give Rhys another simple conversion. The try bonus point was secured after just 25 minutes when Rhys Stewart sprinted to the line and then converted his own try. On the half hour, yet another strong run by Gwyn Robins saw him go over but this time Rhys Stewart could not convert. Then a penalty awarded to Shire was quickly taken by Euan Mclaren which caught the Reading defence out and he crossed for Shire’s 6th try of the half, converted by Rhys. In the last play, it was Jamie Cockerill’s turn to score his first try of the season and this was converted by Rhys. An excellent first half but this could have been more if Shire’s ruck ball had been quicker.
Half Time Score: Shire Hall 45 Reading III 0
The second half began with an immediate score for Shire when Arun Luis charged down an attempted Reading clearance and regained the ball and go over. This try was converted by Rhys Stewart which brought up his 100 points for the season. James Pritchard returned to the action, replacing veteran Neil Evans thus reducing the average age of the team! With Shire so far ahead it was somewhat predictable that they took their foot off the gas and allowed Reading to get back in the game. Some good tackling thwarted the opposition but Shire were unable to repeat the flowing rugby of the first half. It took another 20 minutes for Shire to get back on the scoreboard when, yet again, ‘blind side’ Ollie went over his second try which Rhys Stewart converted. One more score was added when James Pritchard bamboozled the Reading defence with fast feet. Rhys Stewart failed to add the extra points as his attempt cannoned back of the upright.
With Reading Abbey losing to High Wycombe, Shire now sit 2 points off the top of the league with a game in hand. The importance of the return fixture with High Wycombe in March takes on a real significance – beat them and we win the league! Simples!
Final Score: Shire Hall 64 Reading III 0
Tries: Ollie Homan-Green (2), Euan Mclaren (2), Max Davies, Gwyn Robins, Jamie Cockerill, Arun Luis, James Pritchard, Rhys Stewart
Conversions: Rhys Stewart (7)
MOTM: Max Davies – an awesome performance with great tackling and ball carrying and that side step try
DOTD: Not awarded!!
