FARNHAM Royal return to BB&O Championship action with a daunting trip to unbeaten league leaders Littlemore tomorrow (2.15pm).

Farnham Royal 2nds lost 43-5 to Reading Rhinos in an entertaining Thames Valley Invitation League Division B clash on Saturday.

Rhinos opened the scoring on seven minutes when No. 8 Shaun Collins powered over from five metres out, but the hosts hit back when Reading loanee Paul Shumake set up flanker Greg Pearce for a score.

The visitors regained the lead with a 13th-minute try as hooker Glyn Blakemore rounded off a lineout catch and drive.

Royal should have crossed again moments later after a spell of sustained pressure, but second row Eimal Noori’s pass to Pearce was adjudged forward as he looked set for his second try.

Daryl Watson also came close to scoring after a sweeping Royal backline move put the wing into space down the left flank, but he was be denied by an excellent cover tackle by Justin Wheeler.

Reading crossed twice more before the break through fly-half Paul Boulard and wing Richard Hall to hold a comfortable 26-5 half-time lead.

The visitors crossed for their fifth try following a switch between Boulard and inside centre, Dwayne Rosie. Royal were guilty of not shutting down the space inside and going too high in the tackle as Rosie powered through two tackles to score a converted try.

Possession and territory were fairly even in the second period, but it was the visitors who showed their experience by adding two further scores.

Wheeler crossed out wide after Reading put the ball through the hands and Collins finished the game by barrelling over for his second try.

Second-bottom Phoenix host Chesham in a BB&O Premier relegation battle tomorrow.