MAIDENHEAD have suffered a first defeat in South West One East this season when losing 31-28 away to Berkshire rivals Newbury Blues on Saturday.

Alex Cannon scored one of two Maidenhead tries in the first-half at Monks Lane and Tom Finnie added both conversions.

The visitors ended the period with 13 players after yellow cards were shown to Ed Keohane and Christoph Bart.

Maidenhead suffered a blow in the second half when Cannon was taken to hospital in an ambulance with an injured ankle.

They fought back with tries from Ryan Long and Keohane, Finnie slotting the conversions, but it was not enough to keep their perfect winning record intact.

Maidenhead remain top of the league table by a point and welcome fifth-placed Old Centralians to Braywick Park this Saturday.

Windsor ended their six-match losing run with a 22-20 victory away to county rivals Reading on Saturday.

Windsor, 12th in the South West One East standings, have another Berkshire derby this Saturday with Reading Abbey the visitors to Home Park.

Drifters made it four wins on the bounce in the Berks & Bucks & Oxon Premier with a 39-17 victory at home to Abingdon on Saturday.

Stuart Ashton scored a brace of tries with George Kalinowski and Josh White also touching down. Olly Ashton added 19 points from the tee.

Drifters are away to leaders Swindon College Old Boys this Saturday while Slough host Risborough after a 31-5 win against rivals Phoenix.

SEE Friday's Obserer for match pictures and reaction.