*Starting Squad*
1. Dave Hales
2. Steven Dixey
3. George Hook
4. Sam Cooper
5. Elliot Martin
6. Lawrence Birkhead
7. James Monk
8. Mark Roberts
9. Jack Burton
10. Charlie Allen-Roberts
11. Will Nichol
12. Luke Matthews
13.Sam Tokelove
14. Billy Haist
15. Ali McCarthy

*Replacements*
16.Joe Cooper
17. Tom Fearne
18.Aaron Briscoe

First Half Overview
From kick off, Will Nichol chases hard to put the Rams catcher under pressure, from the resulting fumble Dave Hales gets his hands to the ball but can’t hold onto it. Knock on, 1st Scrum of the game to Rams. A huge push from Grove puts Rams 8 & 9 under pressure and causes them to fumble. Jack Burton dives on it and pops the ball up into Charlie Roberts hands, who get a strong arm up to push Rams back and get Grove 10 yards out. Rams attempt to win back possession but are penalised and Grove win a penalty under the posts. Charlie converts the early conversion attempt to get Grove first on the board. Rams kick isn’t collected from the air by Grove and the bounce put Grove very close to there own try line. The forwards are given the task to open up the angle for Grove to exit, Steven Dixey & Elliot Martin both carry well to bring Grove’s possession more central. Charlie then puts boot to ball to push play up the pitch to the other side of the 22. Rams retain possession from the line out and construct the maul, however Grove pull it down before they gain any momentum and the ref awards the advantage to Rams. A few quick phases from the forwards push Grove back and open the opportunity for them to use the advantage by putting in a high cross field kick. Under the high ball Aly McCarthy cannot gather and the chasing Rams get their hands on the ball to score the try. Rams attempt at the conversion goes a few yards wide of the left hand upright.

Rams take possession of Grove’s kick off and after a few phases of the forwards carrying in field, they switch play back towards the touchline but Dave Hales comes in with a big tackle to halt there progress. From the resulting ruck George Hook is penalised by the ref for going off his feet and Rams opt to kick for touch up into Grove’s half. Rams recycle well from a middle jump at the lineout and spread the ball quick wide through the backs, a loose pass gives Grove a chance to win the ball back but Rams scramble well to hold onto it. Grove penalised for a high tackle just inside their own half and again Rams kick for touch getting it just inside Grove’s 22z Rams throw long and Jack Burton narrowly missed getting his hands on the ball. Rams push through the phases looking to pop the ball just before contact and change the angle gaining quick yards, they then shift it to the backs where they are able to break the Grove defensive line on a diagonal run. With the Rams player on his own Grove attempt to get hands on to win the ball back but are penalised for not releasing. Rams take a quick tap and go in an attempt to catch Grove on there heels but the defensive line stands strong and Rams look to shift it out to the backs to stretch the game but loose it forward in the contact. Dave Hales & Elliot carry the ball forward and get Grove up to the 22. In an attempt to win it back Rams are over aggressive at the break down and are penalised for off feet. Charlie kicks long up over the halfway to end a period of Rams pressure deep in Grove’s half.

Rams are able to steel the middle ball from the lineout and look to run hard at Grove but they are halted by a huge tackle from Mark Roberts in the middle of the field, followed by another from Sam Tokelove as Rams look to spread it wide. Rams winger penalised for dropping his height into the tackle. Charlie Roberts kicks for touch to get Grove into Rams half. Grove lose possession as the line out doesn’t go the required 5. Rams kick long from the free kick, Will Nichol collects the high ball and kicks long over the Rams defensive line causing them to back pedals. Rams work through the phases and hold onto possession, Grove once again penalised for off feet at the breakdown and Rams opt to kick from the penalty but fail to find touch and Grove run it back up to the 22 and then Charlie Roberts opts to kick. Rams quickly charge up into Grove’s half and Grove are penalised for offside. Rams opt to kick and get it spot on kicking 5 out. Rams construct the maul and from the base they pop the ball off to score a try. Converted through the middle of the posts to add the extras.

For the kick off, Grove again chase well and sees Aly McCarthy gets his hands on the ball. I’m an attempt to keep the ball live he offloads but unfortunately into Ram’s arms and the resulting ruck is formed just inside the Rams 22. Rams looking to pick and go to gain yards but a big tackle from Elliot Martin puts a halt to the advance. Rams then look to clear there lines with a box kick that Aly McCarthy takes well and offloads to Mark Roberts who pumps the legs to drive Grove forward. The tackler goes high and the ref penalises Rams for a high tackle on one of the tallest players on the pitch. Grove opt for touch and Charlie Roberts kicks the ball towards Rams 22. Steven Dixey throws an arrow to Sam Cooper who is lifted at the front and offloads to Jack Burton who burrows his way through the lineout pack. Steven Dixey, Dave Hales, Mark Roberts & Sam Cooper all pick on go from the base of rucks to get Grove up to Rams 22. Jack Burton then hits Charlie Roberts who pop to James Monks running at pace in an attempt to break the defensive line. Rams do however manage to get their hands onto the ball as Grove get isolated in a carry to relieve the relentless pressure Grove we’re exerting. Rams opt to kick for touch but instead find the arms of Will Nichol who step quickly around two onrushing Rams players and then offloads at the back of the hand to George Hook. He puts his head down and drives towards the try line being brought down 15 yards out, Rams attempt to win the ball back by go off their feet and the ref plays Grove the advantage. With play not developing for Grove the ref bring the play back for the penalty and Grove opt for the scrum. Grove dominate the scrum and from the base Jack Burton puts it through the hands, with a solid run from Sam Tokelove Grove are now only 5 out. Mark Roberts receives the ball at speed but a group of Rams defenders stop him short. With all the players drawn in, the space opens up in the defence around the ruck and Steven Dixey puts in a strong run through and puts it down under the post. Charlie converts to add the 2 points.

Grove collect the ball from the kick off and get push the forwards through the phases with carries from Mark Roberts and Steven Dixey.
From a quick pick and go Mark Roberts breaks through the Rams defensive line and off loads to Charlie Roberts, passed onto Luke Mathews and then Aly McCarthy who produces and excellent kick going out just before the 22 to push Grove up the pitch. Rams penalised for the lineout not being straight. Scrum to Grove.
Mark Roberts picks from the base and finds Luke Mathews who is running a line at speed and is brought down on the Rams 22. Grove then opt to spread the ball wide to Billy Haist and give him the chance to open up this legs, after avoided a few tackles with sidewards steps he straightens up and is brought down just inside Rams 22. Charlie opts to kick and puts it 5 inside Rams 22. Rams again penalised for the lineout not straight. Scrum to Grove. Grove again push Rams back, when the ball comes out Jack Burton gets tackled quickly with no support, but Mark Roberts comes in with a huge clear out to retain the possession for Grove. Grove run a few quick phases with the forwards picking and going before spreading out to the backs. Grove penalised in the clear out for off feet and preventing the competition at the breakdown.
Rams kick up to the halfway. Rams recycle from the lineout and look to spread the ball, Grove’s defensive line is up quick and puts pressure on them just inside their own half. Rams are able to break through the Grove defensive line with a step inside, using the available Rams support they are able to run the distance and score under the posts. Try converted.

Charlie from the kick off puts the ball deep into Rams half, Will Nichol again gets his skates on and puts Rams under pressure, they are unable to take the high ball and knock it on. Grove Scrum just outside the 22. Rams loosehead penalised for collapsing the scrum. Grove opt to kick for touch and Charlie Roberts bring Grove up to 10 yards out. Grove opt to put everyone into the lineout, there are unable to gather the ball and Rams win back possession and box kick to clear. Will Nichol collects the high ball and is brought down by the chasing Rams player. Mark Roberts and James Monks both pick and go to drive Grove forward before Jack Burton changes the point of attack and find Charlie Roberts. He steps around one and then fends off another before being brought down. Jack Burton then find Mark Roberts who drives through a gap in the Rams defence before being brought down 10 yards out, Rams were offside so the ref plays the advantage. Grove spread wide to Will Nichol who is tackle by a group of Rams players, the ref then decides to bring play back for the penalty. Charlie Roberts kicks to touch for a Grove lineout. Grove penalised for not straight. Rams Scrum. Grove penalised for not driving straight. Rams op to kick for touch and get up towards the halfway. Rams retain possession from the lineout and move the ball quickly through the hands towards the other touchline but knock on. Scrum to Grove. Rams penalised at the scrum and Grove opt to kick for touch, Charlie Roberts puts it 15 yards out. Grove throw to the middle and construct the maul, pivoting it round to the right they are able to drive it over the line for James Monks to put in down. Charlie puts a difficult wide kick through the posts and brings the half to a close.

From a half that saw Grove get on the board first but Rams dominate the territory & scoreboard early on. There was a spirited fight back from Grove that saw them dominate territory and the set pieces in the 2nd 20 mins bringing it almost level before halftime and leaving it all to play for in the second half.

HT Score: Grove 1st XV 17-19 Reading Rams III

Second Half Overview
Rams kick off doesn’t go 10. Grove opt for the scrum. The ball is given to Charlie Roberts as he opts to kick finding the Rams winger who returns the compliment. Charlie Roberts is out under huge pressure by the chasing Rams players but manages to stay up long enough to allow Grove to get support with him. Carries from Mark Roberts & Luke Mathews attempt to test the Rams defence that stands strong. Grove then move the ball to Charlie Roberts who puts boot to ball, Rams return towards the centre of the pitch and are pulled down by Sam Tokelove. Rams loose the ball forward in the contact. Scrum to Grove. Dave Hales comes off to be replaced by Joe Cooper. Rams penalised for an early push. Charlie kicks deep into Rams 22. Mark Roberts collects in the air from the lineout and Grove construct the maul. Steven Dixey opts to roll off the base and carry towards the Rams try line. From the ruck, Rams penalised for the clear out. Their hooker is sent to the bin. Grove opt for the scrum 10 yards out. There is a short delay as Rams send on a replacement front row.

Grove dominate the scrum pushing Rams all the way back over the try line for Mark Roberts to put it down at the base and score the try. Charlie Roberts converts to add the extras. Will Nichol off replaced by Aaron Briscoe. Rams kick off again doesn’t go 10. Scrum to Grove on the halfway. Rams loosehead penalised for collapsing the scrum. Charlie Roberts kicks Grove up to just outside the 22. Grove recycle the ball with a middle lift, Aaron Briscoe knocks the ball back to Jack Burton who carries it into contact. Mark Roberts, Steven Dixey & Charlie Roberts both carry well at speed to get Grove up into Rams 22. Grove push through the phases getting the ball out wide to Aly McCarthy who is tackled into touch. Play is brought back as the ref was playing an advantage, Rams penalised for a high tackle on Mark Roberts.

Charlie Roberts with a great kick to touch to put Grove 5 out. Grove lose the ball forward on the ground as Mark Roberts is brought down in the lineout. Rams Scrum. The ref reset the scrum as both teams go down together. Rams just manage to retain possessing from the base of scrum as Grove push Rams backwards. Jack Burton is quick to take the ball carrier to ground to keep Rams inside the 22. Rams bring the ball infield before they box kick to exit, Billy Haist collects and returns beating two Rams players before offloaded to Luke Mathews. Luke Matthews opts to kick but it goes just a tad long over the dead ball line. Scrum to Rams. Scrum reset by the ref as both on the near side collapse. Grove again dominate the scrum, Rams manage to get the ball away and with a series of quick offloads gain quick ground up the pitch before Grove penalised for a high tackle.

Rams kick to touch goes backwards and the lineout is taken between the 22 & 10. Ram’s recycle the ball from the lineout and at pace spread the ball wide giving their winger the space to run before being brought to ground by Luke Mathews. The Rams winger is isolated and Charlie Roberts gets himself over the ball at the ruck to win the penalty. Grove opts to kick for touch and Charlie Roberts gets Grove up to 5 yards outside the 22. Steven Dixey throws long to Aaron Briscoe at the back of the lineout in the air. Jack Burton is put under pressure as soon as he receives the ball. Grove work back to retain possession. Joe Cooper opts for the pick and go to drive Grove forward, Charlie Roberts then hits Mark Roberts with the ball at pace who carries Grove up to the 22. The ball is then moved wide to James Monks who twists and beats two Rams players to get Grove into Rams 22. Jack Burton then picks and goes into the space on the blindside to score in the corner. Charlie Roberts narrowly misses a tough conversion attempt from out wide.

Lawrence Birkhead take the Rams kick off before offloading to Mark Roberts who is running at pace. He offloads to George Hook who carries strong getting Grove up towards the halfway. Mark Roberts then picks and goes from the base of the ruck and wrestles the Rams defence before being brought to the ground. Jack Burton finds Charlie Roberts in the midfield who nearly breaks through the Rams defensive with a diagonal line but the Rams player holds onto his ankle. Luke Mathews then opts to kick and slots it perfectly up into Rams 22. Rams opt to go to the front but knock it forward, Scrum to Grove.
Grove once again dominate the scrum and win the penalty. Charlie Roberts kicks for touch 10 yards out. Grove go for the front option but it isn’t straight. Rams scrum. Ref resets the 1st and moves it 5 across.Grove dominate and put pressure on Rams at the back of the scrum but go off feet. Rams kick to touch getting themselves over the 22. Rams again recycle and look to spread the ball wide quickly but they loose it forward in the contact. Grove Scrum. Rams penalised again for collapsing, ref puts them on a warning for safety. Grove opt for another Scrum. Rams loosehead penalised again for collapsing the scrum. Mark Roberts taps and go’s driving Grove up to 5 out. Rams attempt to win the ball back in the midfield but are penalised for off feet as they over reach the ball and put hands on the floor. Mark Roberts again taps and go’s as the Rams defensive lines sets up off centre, before offloading to Luke Mathews to score under the posts. Charlie Roberts converts to add the 2 extras. Tom Fearn on replacing Steven Dixey.

From kick off Lawrence Birkhead catches the ball and offloads to Mark Roberts who carries through the Rams line. Charlie Roberts then kicks off his left boot, ball caught by Rams and they return at pace up to the halfway. A loose pass gifts Grove possession to Aly McCarthy, who offloads to Luke Mathews who kick through the Rams defensive line as they don’t have anyone back. Aly McCarthy chases the ball down and puts the Rams player under pressure forcing him to put boot to ball to clear his lines. Rams fail to find touch, Luke Mathews catches and runs hard drive Grove up into Rams 22. Sam Cooper is given the ball off the base of the scrum and he pumps his legs and it driven up to 10 yards out. Rams are penalised for being offside. Grove opt for a scrum. Mark Roberts picks the ball from the back of the scrum and runs at Rams defensive line. Sam Cooper is again given the ball and drives his legs pushing towards Rams try line before the ref stops play for an injury. Scrum restart to Grove. Mark Roberts again picks off the base of the scrum and runs directly towards the posts pushing Rams line back and being brought down a few yards out. Jack Burton feeds George Hook who is stopped a few yards out again, Rams defence manage to get over the ball and Grove are penalised for holding on. Rams take quick tap and then kick over Grove’s defensive line. Billy Haist nudges the ball forward with his boot, collects and runs through the Rams defence to score under the posts. Charlie slots the kick to convert.

Lawrence Birkhead collects the kick off and offloads to Mark Roberts who drives Grove forward. Tom Fearn, Joe Cooper & Charlie Roberts all carry straight to get Grove over the halfway. Grove then change the point of attack and spread the ball to the backs but it lost it forward in the midfield. Rams Scrum. Rams 8 carried forward and offloads. Grove penalised for a high tackle on the Rams winger. Sam Tokelove sent to the sin bin for the first time in his career. Rams kick into Grove’s 22. Rams throw to the middle of the lineout and again move the ball quickly out wide but an over throw gives Grove a chance to get up and make the tackle. Rams move the ball back across the field. Grove miss a few tackles and let Rams through to score a try under the posts. Rams convert. From the kick off Rams return into Grove’s 22 after a few phases and a kick through. James Monks gets back to tidy it up and in an attempt to win the ball Rams are penalised for going off feet. Grove kick into touch to bring the game to an end.

A great 2nd half performance from Grove to come away with the desired result. Once again Grove showed the continued dominance in the scrum and physical game. In the 2nd half Grove settled in and got playing there systems and tactics, which demonstrated all the hard work being put into training come into fruition. With a few other results going our way, Grove sit in 4th at the end of the game week. A local derby up next away to Wallingford.

Result : Grove 1st XV 43-26 Reading Rams 3rd XV

Tries: Steven Dixey, James Monks, Mark Roberts, Jack Burton, Luke Matthews, Billy Haist
Conv: Charlie Roberts x5
Pens: Charlie Roberts
Opponents:Tries: 4, Conv: 3

Quarters
20: 10-12
HT: 17-19
60: 29-19
FT: 43-26

MOM: Mark Roberts - 8