Sat 14 Feb 2026
Shire Hall 43 Reading III 17
For the first time since mid-December, Shire were able to host a game at home despite all the rain. There were 6 changes from the side that comfortably beat Thatcham the previous week. Jamie Perry, Jamie Pedder, Billy Wigley, Lloyd Weber, Ed Gallen, Kris Sharma and Louis Bullen all returned to the side. Luke Jellicoe took a place on the bench after illness, and the conditions were good for some running rugby. It took only 2 minutes for Shire to open the scoring when Jamie Perry crashed over from close to give Shire the perfect start. Billy Wigley could not add the difficult conversion. Reading had other ideas when a few minutes later they went over for their first score to level the scores. Shire fought back well with some controlled play and excellent recycling of the ball. After 15 minutes a flowing passing movement created space for Andy Ryan to record his first try. Billy Wigley was unsuccessful with another difficult conversion, but it made no difference as Shire stepped up their game with strong runs from Laurie Moss and Ed Gallen especially. 5 minutes later, a quickly taken penalty by Kris Sharma saw the ball move wide to give Andy Ryan an easy walk in for his second try. Billy Wigley added the extra points and put Shire in a commanding position. Lineout work was excellent with much clean possession gained to set up a positive platform for the backs. Then came possibly the try of the season when Ed Gallen picked up a loose ball on the halfway line and crashing through many attempted tackles, was too strong for the Reading defence and he went over for Shire’s bonus point and his fifth try of the season.
Half Time Score: Shire Hall 22 Reading III 5
At half time, Jamie Perry and Alex Webb took a break and they were replaced by Luke Jellicoe and Ryan Darby. Reading had been completely outplayed by Shire in the first half, and it was no surprise that they would come back stronger. This was case as firstly they squeezed in wide on the left and then 5 minutes later, split Shire’s defence to score an easy try. With only 5 points in the score, this was time for Shire to step back up and reproduce the plays that had been on show in the first half. A great break by Luke Jellicoe was halted just short of the line but somehow possession was lost. Reading kicked long, taking play to Shire’s 22. Then a bizarre moment came when Reading were penalised in this area. This decision obviously did not sit well with Reading as different players voiced their opinions to the referee. This resulted in the initial penalty advancing 30 metres! Billy Wigley’s excellent touch kick took Shire way into Reading’s 22. On the hour, good possession from a set scrum saw Gwyn Robins break from the back of the scrum to draw the defender and feed Kris Sharma who recorded his 4th try of the season. Billy Wigley added the extra points to give Shire a more comfortable cushion. A good break by Gwyn Robins with Laurie Moss in close contact was spoilt by a poor decision by Gwyn as to when to release the ball and the chance went begging. It was hard to pick a DOTD on the team’s performance, so it had to go to Gwyn! As the game drew to a close, Shire turned up the heat and Luke Jellicoe, AKA Burglar Bill, somehow stole the ball from Reading and waltzed in unopposed to record his 60th try for the club. Billy Wigley added the easy conversion but Shire were not finished. With the last play, yet again the ball was transferred efficiently along the back line to give Andy Ryan enough space to use his pace and complete his hat-trick. Billy Wigley added the conversion to finish off a comprehensive victory.
This was a near perfect performance from Shire and ample revenge for the previous meeting between the two clubs. The bonus point win takes Shire up to the dizzy heights of 3rd in the league behind High Wycombe and Windsor. There were many excellent performances throughout the team which paved the way for this victory. Billy Wigley and Laurie Moss are forming a good understanding at 10 and 12. In fact Billy had probably his best game so far. There is a 2 week break now before we welcome Reading Abbey to Sonning. Well done boys!
Final Score: Shire Hall 43 Reading III 17
Tries: Jamie Perry, Andy Ryan (3), Ed Gallen, Luke Jellicoe, Kris Sharma
Conversions: Billy Wigley (4)
MOTM: Ed Gallen & Andy Ryan – outstanding performances.
DOTD: Gwyn Robins – pass the ball!!
