The Men’s 1s had no game on Sunday as Storm Ciara disrupted league preparations! The friendly fixture with East Grinstead was cancelled but that didn’t stop the boys braving the conditions and turning up for a training session instead! A big week ahead as Reading build up to a crucial game on Sunday away to The University of Exeter.

After a little stumble last week, it was back to normality as the men’s 2s played out an 11-goal thriller! A first half hat-trick from Lavers and one a piece from Armo, Ferris and JT gave the boys a 6-3 lead heading into the final moments. A late Newbury surge wasn’t quite enough, and the game ended 6-5! The 2s now sit 12 points clear after other results went our way.

Reading Men’s 3s played decent hockey in the first half against Eastcote at home on Saturday, creating a several opportunities but squandering a few too many chances on goal. Conceding 2 goals after defensive mistakes, the half time score was 1-2; Reading’s goal scored by Jackson C-D with a superb set of skills to get himself into the D topped off with a quality finish. In the second half a great strike from Sam H took the score to 2-2, unfortunately Reading then quickly conceded twice. Digging deep and searching for the draw, Reading almost got there with a goal from Kayron with 4 minutes to go, taking Reading to 3-4 down but that was how the score would remain. MOM was Dobby, for the 4th time this season.

The Men’s 4s lost 0-1 away to Wallingford.

The Men’s 5s returned to winning ways with a good win at home to Marlow, going 2-0 up in the first 5 minutes. In the second half, man of the match Armo completed his hatrick with a well taken penalty stroke and Reading ever looked back. Two big matches ahead for top-of-the-table 5s with Witney (3rd) next, followed by Oxford (2nd) the following week.

Reading Men’s 6s had a slow start to their game. There were many circle penetrations, but all were either defended well or wasted. A lapse in concentration late in the first half allowed MK to take first blood with a goal from open play. Reading bounced back quickly with two well taken short corners within minutes of each other. Closing the half with a 2-1 lead. Under continuous pressure in the second half the opposition gave away the last short corner of the game. This was taken smartly and resulted in a 3-1 lead with a 100% short corner record. This caused MK to lose motivation and allowed Reading to pile in 2 further goals from open play. The final score was 6-2. Scorers were:
Jack ( 3), Oli, Harry and Tino. The game provided a strong foundation ahead of the toughest game of the season this coming week against the league leaders A&C.

Reading Men’s 7 put in another solid performance at Sonning Lane on Saturday to beat fourth placed Oxford 7 by a comprehensive 8 goals to 3. Highlight of the day was the impressive senior debut of the third Sayer Junior - Freddy. Starting at the centre of defence he soon showed how good he was, stopping and distributing the ball and moved up to the middle of the pitch as the half went on. Job done by half time with a commanding 4-0 lead Freddy was whisked off for some prearranged tennis coaching. With the Reading forward line consisting of Cox, Kemp and Wight and the defence of Reed, Rogers and Daffey the score was never going to be 0-0. The early loss of Ben S to a back strain meant the bench was empty for the second half and tired legs were the main cause of the Oxford goals, fortunately the game was well and truly won by this point. The Reading dominance was mastered by the midfield of Angus L, Mike S, Henry S (some say he is actually a keeper, but you couldn’t tell) and Bryan R.

The Rustlers the only vets team to play, travelled to Wimbledon to what was always going to be a tough fixture. Losing 4-0, Reading couldn’t capitalise on their opportunities and were punished for lapses in defence.

Reading Ladies’ 1s welcomed Lucie Daman and Sarah Ellis back to the Lane after a few years’ absence, with a 1-0 win in a hard-fought match against Harleston Magpies. The goal, a short corner deflection from Joey in the final quarter was enough to take the points, with Lucie taking MOM. The other star of the day - Ed Sheeran, watching his wife play for Harleston, was full of smiles for all the selfies. Reading stay 2nd in the league with now 3 away wins in a row to look forward to over the coming weeks.

The Ladies’ 2s travelled away to Teddington and despite having most of the possession and dominating the first half, the goals just didn’t go in. Teddington started the second half well scoring 2 goals in quick succession. A late goal from Ellie M wasn't enough to secure any points. Man of the match was Tabs, her pace, skill and determination made her the stand out player for yet another week!

The Ladies’ 3s played against Teddington in a bottom of the table scrap, a crucial game to win for the #CampainToRemain. Working their ‘butts’ off with 11.5 players Reading dug deep and pulled a 4-3 win out of the bag. LC and Hayley both scoring a brace. MOM was Jess L for stepping up to a new position and holding the central midfield position well.

The Ladies 4’s played ‘free scoring’ and top of the table Phoenix & Ranelagh 1’s and having had injuries during the week went with 11. The team put in a great performance going in at half time 0-0. Unfortunately, Reading couldn’t hold on in the second half and the game finished with a 3-0 defeat. This was one of our best team performances and we just need to start getting a bit of luck in front of goal. MOM went to Sarah for running herself into the ground in the centre of midfield.

A great start to the Ladies’ 5s match, inside 5 minutes Kayleigh scored from a pass across the D. Unfortunately, the opposition came back fighting and got a few back. Reading played really well as a team despite having no subs. The match ended with a loss of 5-1 and some skin from Anna’s elbows and knees after 2 falls. Anna M received MOM for successfully playing fantastically in centre midfield for the first time this season and Boccas earned DOD for misplacing her stick.

A visit from Milton Keynes for the Ladies’ 6s this week. With a solid and disciplined defence, bringing a 3-way MOM reward for Janice, Sue and Tammy, Reading’s marking and communication worked brilliantly in the first half and MK were kept at bay.
The second half started in the same manner, but MK managed to score a goal that owed more to physics than hockey when the ball came off the post and spun back on its axis back over the goal line, very unlucky. Despite many attempts and some good passing play, Reading were unable to score, then MK snuck another to make it 2-0. The game was rounded off by more birthday cake for the birthday celebrations of captain Liz.

Photo Credit: Helen Ritchie Photography and Ed Sheeran/Kim Dawson!