READING men are still seeking their first win of the season in the England Hockey League after losing 2-1 at East Grinstead on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

Blues have taken just one point from five games and for the first time ever find themselves at the foot of the Premier Division standings.

Having seen Terry Kynaston shown a yellow card in the 10th minute, they held their hosts at bay until the 32nd minute when skipper Simon Faulkner opened the scoring with a penalty stroke.

The Sussex side picked up two green cards either side of half-time and, on the second occasion, Reading took advantage to equalise through Andy Oxburgh in the 37th minute, his third goal of the season.

But they were not on level terms for long, as five minutes later Joe Naughalty netted EG's winner.

Despite another defeat, there were some positives to emerge from their performance which will give them hope of getting a good result from their home game with Hampstead & Westminster at Sonning Lane this Sunday (2.30pm).

Reading 2nds had a fine 4-1 home win over Marlow 1sts in MBBO Regional One thanks to goals from Jolyon Summers (2), James Lavers and Archie Sweeting.

In the same division, Reading 3rds lost 3-0 to unbeaten leaders Newbury & Thatcham, whose goals came from Alex Jordan, Dan Paynter and Mike Salmon.

In Regional Two, Reading 4ths crushed Banbury 2nd 6-2 with Chris Armitage, Scott Pearce (2), Peter Taylor (2) and Ted Warren all finding the net.

Reading ladies made it three wins out of three by defeating St Albans 3-1 away in Division One South last weekend.

Player-coach Jo Ellis' eighth-minute opener from a penalty corner was cancelled out four minutes later by Emily Tollafield, the first goal keeper Amy Tennant has conceded this season.

Emma Thomas regained the lead in the 46th minute from a penalty corner with Milly Crosby, the squad's youngest player at 15, putting the issue beyond doubt by scoring five minutes from time.

Reading have strengthened their squad with goalkeeper Grace Lawes returning to the club from Surbiton and 22-year-old New Zealander Rachael Peck joining from Chichester.

Reading Ladies 2nds secured their first win of the season in Division One of the South Clubs League by defeating Teddington 3-2.

SONNING men suffered their first MBBO Regional Two defeat of the season, losing 2-1 at Wallingford. Their scorer was Huw Thomas with Dan Pilbeam and Sam Windsor-Lewis netting for the hosts.

This coming Saturday, Sonning take on Oxford Hawks 3rds at Berkshire County Sports Club.

Sonning ladies drew 5-5 at home to Southgate 2nds in South Clubs League Division 3a with their goals coming from Frankie Knight (2), Wendy Doolin, Erica Wong and Harriet Wilkinson.

They are away to Salisbury next Saturday.

Sonning 2nds made it four wins out of four in Trysports Three Counties League Premier Two by edging home 3-2 against Witney 2nds.