As many as four of the players available this week were also available last week and the customary introductions between callow youth and wizened, creaking vets was an important part of the warm up.

The cunning plan was counter Reading’s aging legs and wheezing lungs with youthful legs and inexhaustible energy. That was the plan anyway.

In the event, two quick tries gave Reading a lead which Bracknell never looked like recovering. A few more tries in the first half saw the Fours playing for pride in the second half, and pride was restored with a more robust defensive display and a consolation try.

Bracknell’s scrum, with three Colts in the tight five, laboured under a significant weight disadvantage and stuggled to maintain their own ball.

The lineout was Bracknell’s but the forwards were unable to give the backs enough ball to build up any rhythm against a quick Reading defence.

In the end it was the forwards who trundled over for a try after a tap penalty.

The early kickoff was much appreciated as we got to watch a rather excellent game on the telly complete with a jug of Guinness provided by our excellent hosts.