TADLEY RFC remain on course for promotion from the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier after beating Farnham Royal 20-5 in their opening match of 2014.
The first half was a scrappy affair, Craig Raymond’s penalty putting Tadley 3-0 up at the change of ends.
Tadley improved in the second half and extended their lead when prop Duncan Ewart went over from a driving maul, while replacement Jack Allen then crossed the line for a converted score to make it 13-0.
No 8 Luke Titley got the visitors’ final try from the back of a turned-over scrum, with Raymond again adding the extras, but Tadley were unable to get the fourth try for a bonus point and conceded a late try.
However, they remain 10 points clear at the top of the table ahead of a home game against sixth-placed Chipping Norton on Saturday.
Neither Aldermaston nor Kingsclere were in Berks, Bucks and Oxon Championship action last weekend. Kingsclere were without a game, while Aldermaston’s trip to Berkshire Shire Hall was postponed, with the teams agreeing to try again this week. Bottom side Kingsclere host fifth-placed Harwell.
Chineham sit fourth in the Hampshire Two table after thrashing bottom side Alresford 45-0.
Jonty Moody was the star of the show with a hat-trick, while Chris Ford touched down twice and Monty Slaney and Chris Dickens also crossed the line.
Chineham face a far tougher fixture on Saturday, when they host league leaders Petersfield.
Overton were unable to turn a half-time lead into a much-needed victory at home to high-flying Solent University in Hampshire One on Saturday.
Tom Barrington scored a try, kicked the conversion and later slotted a penalty to put the hosts 10-3 up at half-time, but Solent hit back with three quick tries to lead 20-10 against the bottom side.
A late try for prop Hywell Evans earned the hosts a losing bonus point as they went down 20-15.
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