Reading lost for the first time in 2023 to a last minute try from a Swindon team who thereby 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.
Swindon had a well organised pack and line out drives preceded each of their four tries.
They also had a strong defence which had been in evidence in the first match and which Reading found difficult to penetrate.
Reading still had their chances but either bad decision making or inaccurate handling stopped them scoring.
The early stages of the game were tentative with both sides trying each other out and Reading having the best of the early chances.
However, after fifteen 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.
As the half went on Reading began to get more territory and Swindon’s indiscipline began to have an influence. 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.
Their only reward was a Tom Sharp penalty. Sharp repeated the exercise five minutes later to reduce the Swindon lead to two points.
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, taking a quick penalty he kicked ahead and won the chase to the ball to score 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 when he joined in.
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.
Despite their vulnerability to driving line outs Reading had a good chance to win this game especially given their numerical advantage for much of the second half.
Game management once they had taken the lead let them down but poor handling and the solid Swindon defence had already prevented them from taking advantage of their chances to be further ahead.
Reading are away to Newbury next week and will need to be more ruthless against a team that won easily at Reading before Christmas.
Tries: Daw, Proctor-Searle
Conversions: Sharp.
Penalties: Sharp (2)
TEAM: Alex Dorliac (capt); Ben Mitchell, Tom Sharp, Jordan Gomez, Matt Daw; Alex Murray-Smith, Stuart Borthwick; Joe Clarkson, Will Proctor-Searle, Steve King; Gavin Egan, Ryan Smith; Adam Wright, Max Pepper, Toby Sofidiya.
Replacements: Harry Wilson, Alfie Fryer, Jos Clarke
Report by Peter Chidgey
