READING 26

Otley 25

THE faces round the tea table after the game said it all. Otley's players were obviously very disappointed that they had let a 22-6 lead slip and with it the chance to record their first ever win at Reading.

A rousing first-half performance had put the Cross Green lads 22-3 up after 38 minutes but a lapse in the fourth minute of time added on to the first-half for injury cost them the game.

They conceded a penalty goal with some slack covering and the rejuvenated Reading side, who had looked dead and buried, came storming back.

Otley had put Reading on the rack from the outset with Simon Hawkins kicking a penalty in the third minute.

When Reading fly-half Andrew Lewis attempted a deft chip the ball was charged down and gathered to put Sam Gardner over and Hawkins added the conversion.

Otley's first error proved costly as they conceded a penalty which full-back Jason Dance converted but Reading were constantly on the back foot.

They defended well until Neil Hargreaves took a quick tap penalty under the posts for Hawkins to dive over and then convert.

Dance kicked a second penalty for Reading but Lafaele Filipo scored wide out following a forward drive.

Otley however lacked concentration when Reading ran back a moderate clearing kick and their early runners were allowed far too much freedom. This led to winger Bruce Rowland touching down. Rowland was allowed to run close to the posts and Dance converted to reduce the margin to 22-13.

Otley struggled in the centre where Reading's Dutch international Garon Everts proved a big danger constantly breaking the gain line.

Otley were finding the game difficult at this stage and Dance kicked two more penalties to take his side within three points before Hawkins kicked another penalty to take it to 25-19.

Disaster struck when Gary Cassidy's clearing kick went out on the full and Reading exploited the scrum with No 6 Dave Muckalt crashing over near the posts. Dance's conversion won the game for his side and left Otley's players shell shocked.

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