Newbury Stags won a competitive game against local rivals Reading III away at Reading with a bonus point scoring 6 tries to Reading’s 3. A late injury to Archie Garland brought veteran Dan Evans into the starting front row alongside captain Zac Burke and Fred Henderson at the other end of his Rugby career.

Newbury had the best of the early exchanges but Reading’s defence held them out and they were able to move play into the Newbury 22 to mount an attack of their own. Stags managed to turn the ball over and get back onto the attack with the pressure leading to a penalty with a great kick by Travis Boulton putting them into the corner for a 5 meter line out. Another indiscretion from Reading at the line out was punished with a free kick which Newbury put to good use quickly sending the ball across the backline for Morgan Gray to break down the wing for the first try. Travis Boulton had an uncharacteristically bad day with the boot off the tee as he missed the conversion leaving the score at 0-5.

Both sides had chances as play osscillated up and down the pitch. Hugh McKenna went close but was adjudged to have lost the ball in the act of scoring as Reading’s defence continued to stay solid and at times push Newbury back closing them down quickly off the line with some physical tackles. Stags strung a series of phases together doing well to retain the ball at times to exert a period of pressure with great work between backs and forwards spreading the ball from one side to the other. The pressure led to points as Fred Henderson made a storming run breaking though one tackle and beating the last defender with an outrageous dummy to score the first of his two tries using skills all props aspire to. Boulton was again unsuccessful from the tee so the score stayed at 0-10.

Michael Duppa-Miller made an early appearance coming on for No. 8 Gareth Barnett who had been making some good runs and in roads for Newbury as they tried to extend their lead. Reading had other ideas though and put Newbury under the cosh with only valiant corner defence forcing a mistake for Newbury to be able to get out of their 22. Newbury then lost some discipline to give away penalties that allowed Reading to work their way back to the Newbury line and eventually they found a way through from close range. The try was converted from the tee with the score then being 7-10.

Reinvigorated by the Reading try Newbury put together a further period of attacks with the ball being moved from edge to edge by the back three of Alex Leadbetter, Morgan Gray and Robin Swann making runs that brought Newbury back into a threatening position. Reading’s defence was again effective rushing up to close Stags down but Fly Half Travis Boulton spotted the opportunity of the space in the backfield with a deft chip. Newbury’s centers chased well as Reading were turned but a classic rugby ball bounce beat everyone except Fred Henderson who caught the ball as it flew above his head and charged over for his second try. A further missed conversion took the game into half time at 7-15.

After half time Newbury claimed the kick off and Dan Saunders worked well with Swann to make ground deep into the Reading half. This time however Stags ball retention let them down as a knock on error was compounded with a penalty allowing Reading to exit. Newbury then had a lapse of concentration as some poor defence and ineffective tackles resulted in a further converted try for Reading that brought them within a point at 14-15.

Again energized by the Reading score and with fresh legs from Cole Whorriskey flying down the wide channel Newbury got back into their structure and a high tackle penalty allowed another good kick from Boulton to provide a line out platform to attack from. A well worked maul from the lineout was followed by good runs from Henderson and the returned Barnett, now playing prop. Sam Croton was the beneficiary as gaps appeared and he dove over for the bonus point try, unconverted the score was then 14-20. This meant Reading were within a single score and they turned the tables soon after with a lineout drive of their own and subsequent powerful runs for a try and a third successful conversion that took them in front at 21-20.

Newbury realised they were in need of further points but Reading were back on the attack with added confidence. It was Newbury who now needed to be solid in defence with some strong tackles forcing mistakes and a turnover. Another kick through was chased well but Reading appeared to have got to it first as Newbury were awarded with a 5 metre scrum. Jamal Watson having taken over the No. 8 slot picked up but was held short. The ball was again moved across the backline to one wing and then recycled and returned to the other wing, Watson then fittingly took the last pass to finish the move off near the posts for a try that was converted by Saunders. Newbury were back ahead at 21-27
With a few minutes left.

Reading dug in and came back at Newbury again getting deep into the 22 but Newbury were determined to finish the game well and forced a knock on at the try line for a 5 metre scrum. Watson again picked up and made good ground to get on the front foot and player of the match, scrum half, Ben Brady delivered the ball to Boulton who had time to measure his kick. Gray followed up to tackle the receiving player supported well by Boulton chasing his kick and regaining the ball on half way. A few phases later and a pinpoint grubber had several Newbury players charging after it for Whorriskey to win the race falling on the ball for the final try and score of 21-32.

Newbury Stags are now 5th in the table with a couple of games in hand, the rearranged match with Tadley 2s is next weekend and continues a busy run up to Christmas after the delayed start to the season.