Below is a reasonably factual account of the game against Hungerford. However if you're in the mood for some great pulp fiction, have a look at the Hungerford report (copy and paste link below). The author is truly talented and I think he can rightly claim to be the Barbara Cartland of West Berkshire. His account has everything, drama, scandal and fantasy. It would be perfect but it lacks sex...and facts! Signed one of the 'all first team front row' (3 1st team league games in 11 years!)
http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/hungerfordrfc/?primary=senior&secondary=matchreports&team_id=8868&report_id=49224

The Pegasus Pump sponsored Strutters hosted second placed Hungerford in a crunch game that would determine Tadley’s chances of promotion this season.

Both sides started brightly, determined to spin the ball wide despite the boggy conditions. 10 minutes in, Hungerford received a penalty in Tadley’s half and opted to go for the posts. The kick was wide and Tadley kicked deep from the 22 m restart, determined to play in the opposition’s half.

With some good running around the fringes, particularly by No. 8 Wightwick and lock Botha, Tadley were in a good attacking position and fly-half Raymond chose to go for a drop goal which was successful. The Strutters drawing first blood after a tight 20 minutes.

After conceding another penalty in their own half, Tadley were lucky to retain the lead as the Hungerford kicker again failed with a penalty attempt. However the lead was to be short lived as Hungerford took advantage of some defensive lapses by Tadley to score a converted try, taking them to a 7-3 lead. The Strutters had several scoring opportunities during the half, however this was to be the score at the break after what felt like only 33 minutes played. This was because only 33 minutes were played in the first half before the referee called for the oranges!

Tadley didn’t have their mind on the job after the break, letting Hungerford back into the game with another converted try after only 5 mins. Behind 14 – 3, the Strutters had to move up a gear or promotion hopes would be lost for the season.

Fortunately the home side did start to play with a sense of urgency. They continued to win good ball in the scrum which had been dominant through the whole match. Prop Collins was replaced by Rosier with Grierson moving into the front row. From just in Hungerford territory, Raymond sent Grierson through the defensive line. After beating several attempted tackles, Grierson found Raymond backing up on the inside, and he scored adjacent to the posts. With the extras added, Tadley were now only 4 points behind with plenty of time left.

The Strutters were now dominating territory, and after missing a penalty chance wide out, Raymond brought Tadley to within a point of Hungerford with a penalty kick in the 65th minute. The game was played mainly in the middle of the park for the next ten minutes, neither side able to get into a scoring position.

From a scrum in the Hungerford half, Raymond was hit late by the Hungerford flanker. While explaining to the Hungerford player his objection to being hit late, Raymond was joined by Wightwick who was also keen to put his point across. The referee then decided that all 3 players should take their discussions off the field and red carded them!

Despite being one man down, the Strutters pushed deep into Hungerford territory, however time beat them and the visitors claimed a 1 point victory.

Paul Collins (Pete Rosier 51), Steve Murphy, Rob Lowe, Mark Tucker, Machiel Botha, Gordon Grierson, Luke Titley (Seth Roose 60), Simon ‘Rocky not Skippy’ Wightwick, Dave Seal (c), Craig Raymond, Stuart Hutchinson, Paul Denning, Paul Johnson, Chris McMillan (Toby Smith 65), Gareth Cripps-Jones

Strutter of the Match: Gordon Grierson