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Reading 29   Oxford Harlequins 17

Reading 29 Oxford Harlequins 17

Clare Swadling20 Sep 2016 - 09:54
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SWDIV1 EAST - 17th September, 2016

Reading deservedly beat a limited Oxford Harlequins side with a strong second half performance after having been behind 13-17 at the interval. The try scorers were newcomer Harri Palmer-Edwards, a centre, and the ever reliable Chris Greig while Rob Sweeney converted both tries and kicked three penalties. After he went off in the 60th minute Rob Smart came on and added two more penalties for Reading to win by a convincing margin.

The Quins were no push-over. They had real bulk in their pack and Josh Nicol did a stout job at loose head against a big opponent. Their line-out was well-organised too while outside their pack the Quins had some good runners, both their tries coming from the elusive running of winger Jack Crowe.

Reading stuck to the task, however. Scrum half Kurt Manukia and Number 8 Jon Cranton worked hard to make the best of scrum possession while Charlie Davies, Sean Kenneally and Rob Cunningham secured line-out ball. As the game progressed Reading had more of the ball and Sweeney used this well to keep his side going forward.

Outside the fly half centres Palmer-Edwards and Alex Dorliac made some good runs while winger Stuart Borthwick was his usual combative self, once flying in off his wing to cut down a dangerous move in full flight. The main offensive danger to the Quins, however, was winger Chris Greig whose combination of speed, strength and elusiveness was always a threat.

It was Greig’s try, on 53 minutes, which restored Reading’s lead after the interval. It followed a penalty attempt by Sweeney which came back off the post. Quins’s subsequent kick for touch found Greig 45 yards out with plenty to do but his power and elusive running took his straight through for a try. Sweeney’s conversion and two subsequent penalties from Smart saw Reading home comfortably.

Earlier Harri Palmer-Edwards had opened the scoring in the sixth minute following pressure in the away 22, a good ruck set up by Dorliac and Sweeney’s well-timed pass. Sweeney converted. Quins came back with a converted try. Sweeney and Sam Watkinson exchanged penalties before another Sweeney penalty gave Reading the lead again. However, just before half time a converted Quins try gave the visitors a half time lead.

In the second half Sweeney kicked a penalty to reduce the lead and converted Greig’s try as Reading took the lead again. Smart’s two penalties completed the scoring.

Tries: Harri Palmer-Edwards, Chris Greig Cons: Rob Sweeney (2)
Pens: Sweeney (2) Rob Smart (2)

READING: Alex Murray-Smith; Stuart Borthwick, Harri Palmer-Edwards, Alex Dorliac, Chris Greig; Rob Sweeney, Curt Manukis; Josh Nicol, Alex Watson, Mark Roberts, Charlie Davies, Sean Kenneally, Rob Cunningham, Luke Titley, Jon Cranton; Replacements: Chris Champ, Matt Smart, Matt Hulland

Ted Goodhew

Further reading