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THATCHAM 31 READING 16 S COUNTIES NORTH 03 02 18
Andy Clark5 Feb 2018 - 10:12
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THATCHAM 31 READING 16 S COUNTIES NORTH 03 02 18
Reading’s first-ever visit to Thatcham’s Henwick Fields ended with victory for the home side. Solid in the scrums and lineouts, with a class Number 8 in Mark Smith and a lively pair of half backs, Thatcham took command early, had the try bonus point wrapped by the 28th minute and scored five tries in all. Reading’s reply was tries from winger Ben Mitchell and Number 8 Grant Spears, while scrum half Nick Portch added two penalties.
Coach-in-charge for Thatcham was John Dixon who, 28 years ago, made his debut at scrum half for Reading. “It was a long away trip to Devon and the two scrum halfs ahead of me were not available, so I was roped in.” John went on to play a leading role in Reading’s success during the 90s, becoming club captain, before moving to Thatcham in his later playing days. With his son in the Thatcham team which he coaches he has played his part in Thatcham’s rise in recent seasons.
Thatcham are now clearly one of the best teams in this division although the feeling is they are not ready for promotion yet. Nevertheless the ambition is there and, as such, they mirror the kind of ambitions that Reading coach Ben Wills has over the next few years for his team.
Thatcham’s early ascendancy brought about two tries from winger Liam Rowland and a Danny Shaunessy penalty. Reading’s Nick Portch replied with two penalties but another Thatcham try, this time from scrum half Shaunessy, gave the home side their third try and a lead of 18-6 within the half hour.
Reading clearly needed a response and it came from winger Ben Mitchell who chased a well- placed kick from new fly half Lloyd Thomas to hack the ball on and win the race for the touchdown. This brought Reading to within one score but, just before half time, Smith touched down for the home side’s bonus point try.
The second half started badly for Reading as they were pushed off their own ball in a five metre scrum. The scrum was re-set, Thatcham put the ball in and the result was a pushover try. There was one more try to come as playing conditions worsened and this came from Reading flanker Grant Spears who finished off a well-constructed move with a powerful drive over the line. Three minutes later Shaunnessy kicked a penalty. With a quarter of the game still to go this ended the scoring. Thatcham thus completed the double over Reading at the first time of asking.
READING: James Mitchell; Ben Mitchell, Will Proctor-Searle, Melvyn Gilmour, Chris Greig; Lloyd Thomas, Nick Portch; Patrick Johnson, Steve King, Josh Nicol, Ashley Chapman, Ryan Smith, Fraser Koefman, Grant Spears, Charlie Davies. Replacements: Alex Watson, Adam Veale, Taylor McRoberts.
Ted Goodhew
Coach-in-charge for Thatcham was John Dixon who, 28 years ago, made his debut at scrum half for Reading. “It was a long away trip to Devon and the two scrum halfs ahead of me were not available, so I was roped in.” John went on to play a leading role in Reading’s success during the 90s, becoming club captain, before moving to Thatcham in his later playing days. With his son in the Thatcham team which he coaches he has played his part in Thatcham’s rise in recent seasons.
Thatcham are now clearly one of the best teams in this division although the feeling is they are not ready for promotion yet. Nevertheless the ambition is there and, as such, they mirror the kind of ambitions that Reading coach Ben Wills has over the next few years for his team.
Thatcham’s early ascendancy brought about two tries from winger Liam Rowland and a Danny Shaunessy penalty. Reading’s Nick Portch replied with two penalties but another Thatcham try, this time from scrum half Shaunessy, gave the home side their third try and a lead of 18-6 within the half hour.
Reading clearly needed a response and it came from winger Ben Mitchell who chased a well- placed kick from new fly half Lloyd Thomas to hack the ball on and win the race for the touchdown. This brought Reading to within one score but, just before half time, Smith touched down for the home side’s bonus point try.
The second half started badly for Reading as they were pushed off their own ball in a five metre scrum. The scrum was re-set, Thatcham put the ball in and the result was a pushover try. There was one more try to come as playing conditions worsened and this came from Reading flanker Grant Spears who finished off a well-constructed move with a powerful drive over the line. Three minutes later Shaunnessy kicked a penalty. With a quarter of the game still to go this ended the scoring. Thatcham thus completed the double over Reading at the first time of asking.
READING: James Mitchell; Ben Mitchell, Will Proctor-Searle, Melvyn Gilmour, Chris Greig; Lloyd Thomas, Nick Portch; Patrick Johnson, Steve King, Josh Nicol, Ashley Chapman, Ryan Smith, Fraser Koefman, Grant Spears, Charlie Davies. Replacements: Alex Watson, Adam Veale, Taylor McRoberts.
Ted Goodhew
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