They say things always come in threes.

 

Littlemore’s second journey east of the season demonstrated There is truth to this as the blue team’s fortunes rested on two contrasting triplets.

 

The first is wonderfully positive. Littlemore’s best work of the season could be seen in the first 20 minutes characterised by togetherness, commitment and resolute defence. Try number one was the result, the ball intercepted by Will Massey who surged away to touch down, with the conversion added by the trustworthy boot of Massingham.

 

The second triplet is more problematic. The good work seen in the first twenty minutes was undone by ill-discipline and loose tongues. Will Massey and Fergus Alexander picking up yellow cards in succession, leaving Reading with two extra men and a try before halftime to bring the deficit to two at the break.

 

Reading continued to make numbers pay after halftime, scoring twice more before the returning Grant Thomas, made a welcome return to the field to replace the perennially injured youngest Massey, slotting into his familiar role at hooker.

 

The game looked to be slipping away. But, cometh the hour, cometh the man. Callum Dickerson, who showed real attacking intent throughout the match, coming in off his wing to barrel through the back-pedalling Reading defence to score the second of a trio of beauties for Littlemore.

 

The game felt tight, each team looking for an edge, throwing punches in the hope of a knockout blow. Reading landed first but Littlemore wasn’t down and out yet. One more cracking try brought Littlemore within one. Massingham skipping round tackles down the left to make it three tries in his first two games.

 

The rule of three was completed once, three wonderful tries were scored for Littlemore, but still a point behind. A grandstand finish seemed possible until the second three came to a sudden conclusion. Fergus Alexander found yellow card number three, and his second of the game, to leave Littlemore’s aching legs with too much to do.

 

Reading brought on their own fresh legs and both Reading’s backs and the game ran away from Littlemore, scoring four quickfire tries to settle it.

 

They say three is the magic number. For Littlemore today, it depends on which three.

 

The final score, 42-19.