Reading lost in an entertaining game to Stow who ran in six tries to Reading’s three.
Stow were the only team to do the double over Reading last season and are so far unbeaten this season.
Stow had the edge at the breakdown and their physicality and close support play meant they were always a threat with ball in hand. Reading must be credited for staying competitive and finished the better although by then it was too late.
Reading were superior in the scrums and a penalty from one in the first minute allowed them to set up a lineout close to the Stow line from which Rob Cunningham crossed for an unconverted try after a wave of attacks.
Their lead was short lived as Stow gained possession from the kick off and after a period of pressure Stow scored a try in the corner which was converted from the touch line.
Reading had a chance to go ahead but Sharp missed a penalty and soon after Stow made them pay running in an unconverted try from a quickly taken penalty after Reading had lost possession in midfield.
Reading conceded a further try when some missed tackles from a Stow attack on the short side allowed the Stow number seven in for a converted try to make the score 19-5.
Despite losing Nichol to a yellow card Reading finished the half on the front foot. A fine run by Lushington, a former Stow player, set up an attacking position and some good phase play saw Jos Clarke just pushed out at the corner.
So far, the match had followed a similar pattern to the equivalent one last season with Reading taking an early lead but Stowe coming back to score four tries before half time. In that game Reading scored three second half tries and lost a thriller by five points.
This time a repeat looked unlikely as Stowe extended their lead early in the second half when a wave of attacks, following a Reading error at the kick off, resulted in a converted try to make the score 26-5.
Reading temporarily raised hopes by regaining possession from the kick off and Proctor-Searle went over in the corner for an unconverted try after they worked an overlap.
Reading had more possession in the second half. Strong runs from Dorliac and Borthwick eventually coming to nothing.
Stow however took the game completely away by scoring the next two tries. Both were from distance and products of Reading attacks that broke down. The first from a quick penalty and the second from an interception on the Stow 22 when a Reading attack ran out of steam.
With ten minutes left Reading did get a reward for their efforts. From a short penalty, Harry Wilson, on debut, finished off a move after a forceful run by Rob Cunningham.
Reading were the better side at the end but could not find a way through the resolute Stow defence to get the try that would give them a bonus point.
Stow won this match with their first half performance when with their extra fire-power they made the most of their possession often taking advantage of Reading mistakes to get good positions to play from.
Reading had patches of the game when they showed they were a match for them particularly in the scrums.
They also created opportunities through the strong running of Borthwick, Lushington and Dorliac and the elusive running of Murray Smith. In the end they were unable to bring enough support to take advantage of these.
There is no rest as Reading play table toppers Marlborough at home next Saturday in what promises to be another stern test.
Reading scorers: Tries: Rob Cunningham, Will Proctor-Searle, Harry Wilson
Team: Tom Sharp; Jos Clarke, Alex Dorliac, Tom Lushington, Stuart Borthwick; Alex Murray Smith, Nathan Wheeler; Josh Pallett, Steve King, Josh Nichol; Kyle Turner, Ryan Smith; Will Proctor-Searle, Gavin Egan, Rob Cunningham.
Replacements: Harry Wilson, Adam Wright, Sam Bowers.
