WITNEY hung on for a nail-biting 19-17 home victory in South West 1 East to complete the double over Reading on Saturday.

The 19 points Witney amassed downwind in the first half proved just enough to collect the win.

After Phil Thomas kicked two early penalties, Witney had to wait until the half-hour to extend their lead with a well-worked try.

From a line-out, left wing Carl Strutt came in on a cleverly-angled run, took the pass from fly half Lamb and ran round to score an excellent try, which Thomas converted for 13-0.

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With Reading reduced to 14 men by a yellow card, Thomas landed two more penalties to give Witney a healthy 19-0 interval lead.

The hosts now had to face the wind, but were fortunate that it had lessened slightly.

However, within eight minutes Reading had scored an unconverted try through their centre Pete Czernuszka.

Witney were now under pressure, especially after hooker Ryan Harris and No 8 Joe Rowles were sent to the sinbin.

Despite a sterling effort by the home forwards, Reading cut the deficit to nine points ten minutes from time, when flanker Charlie Davis scored a try.

The visitors were then awarded a penalty try after stand-off Stuart Borthwick was held back as he successfully chased a kick ahead to touch down.

The successful conversion made it 19-17.

Reading looked like snatching victory when their strong maul pushed Witney back over their own line.

The visitors won the ball from the ensuing five-metre scrum, but a magnificent wheel from the Witney pack denied them possession and they hung on for a brave win.

Grove slumped to a 36-3 defeat at Windsor.

The visitiors’ points came from a Joe Bellinger try and a Guy Nicholl penalty.

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