Heard shines as Henley secure derby bragging rights

Reading 2nds 19, Henley 3rds 42

HENLEY 3rds, who had a tricky first half of the season, began a run of seven away Counties 2 Tribute Ale Berks , Bucks and Oxon East games in a row with a 42-19 win at Reading 2nds last Saturday.
With a full squad, captained by Tom Longley, Henley’s best chances lay with their backs against Reading’s larger forwards, although the visitors’ scorers were to prove otherwise.

The first of Henley’s tries came from hooker, Paul Goodall, within 15 minutes of kick off, converted by fly-half Longley.
With Henley maintaining the pressure and dominating in Reading’s half, it was number eight Charlie Sichel who drove through Reading’s defence, with Longley converting again.
At 14-0 to Henley, it was not long before the double act of Sichel and Longley racked up another seven points, which was starting to leave Reading reeling. On half time, Reading scored a converted try to make it 21-7 at the interval.
At the re-start Henley fullback Ollie Heard scored a fine try, out-pacing Reading’s defence. At this point Reading continued to offer strong opposition with their pack, in particular, utilising their superior weight and pushing Henley off the ball in the scrum, earning them a converted try.
Henley responded by moving up a gear allowing flanker Ben Parkinson, through the middle again of Reading’s forwards, adding to the visitors tally, converted by Longley. This was added to by wing, Joe Beesley, powering through to snatch Henley’s final converted try. Reading scored the final try just before the final whistle.