SUPERMARINE Ladies ended 2013 in disappointing manner as they slipped to a 10-5 defeat to Reading despite taking the lead.

Marie Barber and Natalie Williams put in impressive performances for the Swindon side, earning them the forward and back of the match awards respectively, but their displays were not enough to help their side avoid defeat in their final match of the year.

Visitors Reading kicked off and were soon up in the faces of their hosts, although both sides were able to play some good rugby early on as play moved fluidly between the two halves.

Supermarine used their strong pack to push their opposition back and after several phases of play enabled them to get ever closer to the try line, Reading defended well and denied them of a score. The Marine pressure eventually told as scrum-half Leanne Sear pushed towards the line and kept her feet well to break through the Reading defence.

The host’s lead didn’t last long as Reading crossed the whitewash to level matters going into the break.

The second period saw Reading up their game and within minutes they were able to run in a try down the wing to take the lead, although the conversion was missed once again.

Supermarine knew they had to up their defence if they were to claw back some points, in a contest in which the scrum played a big role, but despite pressure the hosts were unable to level matters before the end of the contest.