READING FALL SHORT IN FRANTIC ENCOUNTER
READING lost for the first time this year, thanks to a last minute try from a Swindon team who avenged a similar result at their ground earlier in the season.
Swindon outscored Reading by four tries to two in a scrappy encounter in which Reading had appeared to do enough to win especially after Swindon had four players yellow carded in the second half.
After 15 minutes, Swindon scored an unconverted try with their first venture into the Reading 22 when a driven line out almost reached the line and they scored from the next phase.
Five minutes later they repeated the exercise from their next entry into the Reading 22 this time taking the drive all the way to the line.
Reading came back strongly at the end of the half but were unable to convert their opportunities until on the point of half time Matt Daw ran onto a cross kick from Tom Sharp to go over for a try which Sharp converted from the touch line to make put Swindon
10-7 in front.
Soon after the break Swindon again scored an unconverted try from a driving line out to give themselves an eight point lead.
After a number of penalties the Swindon number eight was yellow carded.
Reading launched a series of attacks with the extra man advantage but were unable to cross the line.
Swindon added to their problems when as soon as the number eight returned their scrum half was yellow carded. Reading continued to press and eventually Proctor-Searle scored a fine opportunist try to give Reading an 18-15 lead.
Swindon were then reduced to thirteen men after one of their players dissented from the referee’s decision to award the try and their coach was red carded.
Despite their numerical disadvantage Swindon attacked from the kick off and just failed to score from a driving line out after which another of their players received a yellow card for dissent.
Gomez of Reading quickly followed for a high tackle and for the last play Swindon had 13 players and
Reading 14.
Despite this Swindon won a line out in the Reading 22 and having initially driven, moved the ball out wide for their wing to score in the corner. The try was converted for Swindon to run out winners 22-18.