Hungerford find it tough with third loss

HUNGERFORD RFC suffered a 23-0 home defeat to Abingdon in the Tribute Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier and remain winless after three league games.

The early exchanges saw both sides look to entertain with the ball being swung from side to side, however the defences remained strong.

Following a good Abingdon drive, the ball was turned over and Tom Smithdale took advantage and moved the ball wide to Scott Kay who gave a crisp pass on to Will Owens.

Owens covered good ground and played it out to Harley Bloomfield on the left wing, but the ball was intercepted and resulted in Abingdon breaking forward to score.

The try seemed to lift Abingdon and they went on to play their best rugby of the game up to half-time and added a second try.

The second half saw Hungerford have the greater share of possession.

After some quick handling from Nick Blair at nine, Ashley Stokes worked his way free only to be stripped of the ball as he was diving for the try.

Hungerford continued with their forays into the Abingdon 22, but their defence held up well.

A long clearance out of defence by Abingdon resulted in a lineout on the Hungerford 22, from which their flanker expertly gathered the ball at the tail and scooted over for their third and final try.

Hungerford, despite all the changes and early loss of Toby Gale, competed well and the scoreline could quite easily have been a lost closer.

However, the team spirit was excellent and will hold them in good stead for the up and coming fixtures.

In the same division, Tadley secured a 32-15 away victory at Chesham in what was their second successive league victory.

Aldermaston also registered their second win of the campaign as they cruised to a 46-6 win at home to Wheatley.