Reading R.F.C.

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Reading RFC

Full name

Reading Rugby Football Club

Founded

1898

Union

Rugby Football Union

Ground

Holme Park

Chairman

Roger Donachie

President

Keith Dugdale

Captain

Alex Wallace

League

South West Division 1

2005–06





Team colours

Official website

www.readingrfc.co.uk

Reading R.F.C. are an English rugby union club, who play in South West Division 1 and are based in the village of Sonning, on the outskirts of Reading. They are coached by Scottish ex-international, Alastair McHarg.

1 History
2 Men's rugby
3 Women's rugby
4 Youth rugby
5 Past players
6 External links

[edit] History

Reading was formed as Berkshire Wanderers in July 1898 when RFU President Roger Walker, RFU Secretary G Rowland-Hill and Cambridge Blue G R Joyce held a meeting in Pangbourne. Their aim was to set up a rugby club in Reading and the first game was played at the County Cricket Ground, Kensington Road, in September 1898. The Wanderers led a nomadic existence until, shortly before World War II, they moved to their present headquarters at Holme Park, Sonning. The club's name was changed to Reading in 1956 and the first trophy came their way in 1970 when they beat Marlow 16-3 at Maidenhead in the inaugural Berkshire Cup Final.

In the 1970s, Reading went into decline as Maidenhead and then Abbey became predominant in Berkshire. However, a successful Colts side, organised by the late John Silverthorne, formed the basis of a revival following a disastrous 1982-83 season in which only one game was won.

Coach Jeff Owen and skipper Ian Turrell joined forces in the early 1980s and through their emphasis on forward power, Reading became known as "The Green Machine". The Berkshire Cup was won for the second time in 1986 and then regularly until the Wanderers – the 2nd XV – won it for a record tenth time, beating Bracknell in the final. The Southern Merit Table was also won six times in less than a decade. In the 1986-87 season, the team won 30 out of 34 matches and also reached the third round of the John Player Cup, running Coventry, then amongst the country's elite, very close before going down 26-12.

When the leagues started in 1987 Reading were placed in South West Division Two and lost their first-ever league game at home to Berry Hill. Nevertheless, they finished runners-up in the league and were promoted. Three successive promotions under Mike Tewkesbury's guidance from 1992-93 took Reading into the country's top thirty teams. Reading played five seasons at this level, peaking at a final position of 6th, but by the time Tewkesbury left in 1999 problems were already apparent, as successive financial cuts had depleted the squad. Successive relegations took the side back into South West Division One.

However, with Alistair McHarg and Dick Michael at the helm, steady progress was made over the next three seasons, culminating in promotion in 2004. The 2004-05 season started badly, with defeat in the hot sunshine at Hertford, but it ended entertaingly with a 50-28 win against old rivals Lydney and a creditable sixth place. The 2005-06 season started in much the same way with early defeats and many team changes due to injuries. However, this season, there was no revival after Christmas as opportunities were missed in consecutive weeks for wins over Rosslyn Park and Southend. The worst moments for the team and supporters were the defeats at relegation rivals Bracknell and Old Patesians.

[edit] Men's rugby

While the first team squad is largely semi-professional, the club retains its amateur roots, also fielding 2nd and 3rd teams. The club have an over-35s squad, the "Rhinos", which is the only veterans team to play regular league rugby in the region.

[edit] Women's rugby

"Reading Ladies" is now a well-established team, playing regular Sunday fixtures against teams throughout the region.

[edit] Youth rugby

Reading have seen a resurgence in youth rugby in recent years and now have representative teams in most age categories. Youth rugby is played on Sunday mornings.