Derby win, and the Tracey Rolfe Cup comes Holme

Reading Abbey 15, Reading 23

The 1s travelled to Reading Abbey on Saturday and came home with a derby win and the Tracey Rolfe Cup, back at Holme Park for the first time in a long time. The result keeps the 1st XV unbeaten in the league.

Head coach Jay Henderson knew how much this one meant. “I’ve had the most phone calls I’ve ever had since being at the club about this fixture,” he said. “I was at Reading Uni this week and three people tapped me on the shoulder and said, you’d better win on Saturday.”

Captain Will Proctor-Searle expected a battle and got one. “Any derby game is going to be close,” he said. “They brought the physicality. We matched it. We kept in the fight, and I think we played the more sound rugby.”

For Jay, the fight is what stood out. “What I can’t coach them is that dog, that energy and that fight. Last season we would have lost this game.” The 1s finished strongly. “In the last 10 minutes, when we started to build a little bit of structure, we tore them apart.”

Alex Lewis, stepping up this week, came off the bench and scored the try that finished the game. Will also moved into the back row and had a strong game there.

Will is proud of how the season is going. “We’re three away games in and still undefeated. Last season I think we only came out with one away win. Kudos to the 18 lads and Jay that played today. It’s looking like a real good season for us.”

Jay had plenty of praise for his captain. “Really good captain. Such an intelligent rugby man. We talk every single day, whether that’s sending clips or chatting about this or that. I’m so lucky to have people like him driving standards as much as me.”

This is a young side with an average age of around 21, and both wingers are 19 and 20. Jay also gave a shout-out across the club, to the players stepping up from the 3s and the Rhinos coming in so Reading could put out three teams.

“Four down, 18 to go,” said Jay. “We started well. There’s so much more to come from this team.”