MK Wolves 54-34 Reading Raiders, friendly
Reading travelled north for a friendly against East Division One pacesetters, MK Wolves, after Sussex Merlins pulled out of hosting the Raiders in a London & South East Championship game.
It was a step into the unknown for Reading, not knowing what sort of opposition they would be facing, as the squad rocked up to the plush facilities at Milton Keynes Rugby Union Club.
And it was a rude awakening for the travelling squad of 15 as the Wolves racked up an almost unassailable lead within half an hour.
MK went 6-0 up early on but Reading hit back through Brad Walters, scooting over from close range, with scrum-half John Boucher adding the first of five conversions of the afternoon from close to the touchline.
The Wolves then scored again and tasting blood, got a roll on as the Raiders struggled to contain the hosts, particularly their speedy no. 9, with MK suddenly 32-6 after 30 minutes played.
The shellshocked Raiders picked themselves up and started getting their hands on the ball again, and a second try from Walters, bursting through a number of challenges on the left wing, lifted the visitors.
MK scored another try to make the half-time score 38-12. Reading regrouped and put the first-half out of their minds as they set out to put in a positive final 40 minutes.
The second-half was a much more competitive affair with hard-hitting prop Ed House scoring first under the posts. Walters then got a well-deserved hat-trick try with another scoot over from dummy half.
Adam Veale, making his first start of the season, then made two telling contributions, offloading superbly for Jake Parker to score his third try this season before Veale got a second try in his two Raiders appearances over two years, charging impressively through the Wolves' defence.
Just when it looked like Reading were on for an unlikely comeback, MK scored a couple of late tries to secure the game. The Raiders could be heartened by a second-half score of 22-16 in their favour against a tough outfit.
Captain Andy Parr and scrum-half Boucher led from the front and played terrifically throughout and full back, Callum Man, had his best game in a Reading shirt, carrying impressively and putting in some great defensive tackles.
Club Man of the Match went to Walters for his tricky runs and great all-round contribution while the Players' Man of the Match went to Ed House, who put in a massive shift in the forwards and grabbed his fifth try of a great debut season for the club.
Team
Callum Man; Callum House, Jake Parker, Brad Walters, Ryan Williams; Tom Sullivan, John Boucher; Andy Parr (C); Matt McLellan; Dave Abbott, Mike Beckly, Adam Veale, Ed House
Interchanges
Jack Tann, Tristan Carter
