Brighton 9s

Reading Raiders made an encouraging start, losing three and drawing one, on the club's competitive debut at the Brighton 9s.

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Game 1 - London Chargers A 16-8 Reading Raiders

Kicking off life as a club on an American football field, Reading Raiders were raring to go and this was epitomised by forward Mikey Habasune-Cowdery who made himself known, knocking a tackler back 10 metres on his very first carry in league.

Physically, the Raiders stood toe-to-toe with their more experienced opponents snuffing out drives from their forward pack but gaps were exploited as the Chargers took a hold of the game with free-flowing rugby on the unusually wide field.

Having gone 8-0 down, Reading scored their first-ever try with George House forcing his way over from close-range. Chargers extended their lead before the break but an emboldened Raiders took control of the game in the second-half and, despite being camped in London's half for the majority of the half, were only able to breach their defensive line once through joint-captain Andy Parr.

A great effort on the club's first ever game and the hit-out gave the Raiders confidence that they could compete at the tournament.

Team:

1 Callum Man (full back); 2 Ryan Williams (wing); 3 Matt Mclellan (forward); 4 Andy Parr (joint-captain - forward); 5 Ben Bragg (wing); 6 Matt Eldridge (stand-off); 7 George House (forward); 8 Mikey Habasune-Cowdery (forward); 9 Ben Carter (joint-captain - hooker). Interchanges: 10 James Knott (forward); 11 Andrew Belt (wing)

Reading Raiders 8-8 St Albans Centurions

With the organisers deeming the American football field markings to be unplayable, the Raiders decamped to Sussex Merlins' astro-turf pitch for their remaining games.

Energised and encouraged by their first game, Reading soon got on the front foot and took the lead when House leapt highest from an intelligent kick from Ben Carter and kept hold of the ball under pressure to touch down. Parr grabbed his second try of the day, brushing off several challenges to cross the whitewash from close range.

The high-energy first half saw the Raiders lead 8-0 against a rather shellshocked Centurions side. With energy reserves shot from the opening seven-minute half, St Albans took advantage in the second-half and halved the arrears, running through Andrew Belt's attempted tackle.

The Centurions spotted a gap on the right wing soon after with a straight run to the line for their player who had broken the line, Belt amending slightly for his earlier error by forcing him to touch down on the wing and the missed conversion proving critical.

A first ever positive result for the Raiders as the day had already surpassed expectations.

Team: Man; Belt; Mclellan; Parr; Bragg; Eldridge; House; Knott; Carter. Interchanges: Williams; Habasune-Cowdery.

Brixton Bulls 22-8 Reading Raiders

Brixton's speedy full back tormented Reading in a game which was much closer than the scoreline suggested.

Carter went over for his first Raiders try from close range and Parr kept up his impressive scoring record with a 20-metre dash for the line but every time it looked like Reading would get a foothold in the game, Brixton's full back turned the screw and left the Raiders chasing shadows.

Team: Man; Williams; Mclellan; Parr; Bragg; Eldridge; House; Habasune-Cowdery; Carter. Interchange: Knott.

Hammersmith Hills Hoists 22-0 Reading Raiders

A fatigued Raiders side lost out to the eventual tournament winners, Hammersmith, but could hold their heads up high after standing up to the physical challenge of their superior opponents.

Reading's best moment in the game came from Habasune-Cowdery's floated kick out wide which drew an 'ooo' from the crowd as Belt couldn't quite get to the ball in time to touch down.

A great first outing for the club and the players couldn't wait to rip in for their first 80-minute game against Swindon the following week.

Team: Belt; Williams; Mclellan; Parr; Bragg; Eldridge; House; Habasune-Cowdery; Man. Interchanges: Knott; Carter.