Sat 1 Feb 2020
Wallingford hosted high flying Reading on a gusty but dry day down at the Hithercroft. In selection, Wallingford were without half a dozen back row due to a wide range or reasons, so they welcomed back Sam Clarkson and 17 year old debutant Nelly Kinniburgh on to the flanks to partner the evergreen Ian Jeffreys. Whilst in the backs Charles Campbell and Henry Wiltshire came back into the side.
The first half was a tight affair with both sides enjoying periods of pressure but with little penetration. Reading's big ball carrying forwards did some damage in the middle of the park, but Wallingford's defence denied them many clear opportunities, whilst Wallingford, with Jackson Sayce's kicking game to the fore, had their chances to but defences came out on top.
With the line-out proving to be relatively even in the wind, the main point of difference proved to be the scrum, as the big Reading pack put Wallingford under real pressure, with Jeffreys doing excellently to pick the ball up as his pack retreated.
The only score of the half went to the visitors, who scored a try from their scrum dominance, but with the conversion missed, they only went into halftime 5-0 up.
Wallingford started the second half poorly, as they coughed up posession too often, and then conceded a really soft try. From a ruck 30 meters out, the Reading nine sniped all too easily around the fringe, before beating the last man to score to the left of the posts. Conversion missed.
The third quarter of the game saw Reading pile on the pressure, predominantly through their scrum and pick and goes, but Wallingford's tight defence, with Ed Searle to the fore, was excellent as they resisted Reading's purple patch, and began to get a foot hold in the game.
With Sayce's kicking pinning them back, and the visitors beginning to give away stupid penalties, Wallingford had their own period of pressure, which finally told through a well taken try. After the forwards had battered the Reading line, the ball was moved right to Sayce, who found the supporting Pete McKinley on his inside to sprint in from tne meters. Campbell missed the conversion.
Wallingford continued to press, and soon scored again. After a Reading player was sent to the bin for playing the ball on the floor at ruck, Wallingford eventually found space on the left, and Smith gave the scoring pass to McKinley who powered over in the corner under pressure. This time Campbell converted brilliantly from the touchline.
With five minute left, Wallingford were penalised for a debatable knock on, to give Reading an attacking platform. With Wallingford's defence resisting the Reading onslaught well, they looked to have turned Reading over on their line, but the referee erroneously deemed Kinniburgh to be the tackler as he executed a textbook turnover as the second man in.
With one minute left, the simple penalty was converted to give Reading a one point lead, which they never relinquished.
Wallingford were gutted with the result. A draw would probably have been a fair result, but to lose a game on a loose call is frustrating. That said, this was a vastly improved performance by Wallingford. The backs looked dangerous again with ball in hand, whilst the forwards matched what is one of the most physical packs in the league. Special mention to 17 year old Nelly Kinniburgh who had an excellent debut, carrying well throughout and was solid in defence.
