Joyce's Reading team is without its England internationals

Reading hockey captain Rhys Joyce wants to keep the pressure on leaders Surbiton ahead of the Christmas break.

Reading drew 1-1 with Surbiton last weekend but take on bottom club Exeter University this Saturday at home.

Joyce told BBC Berkshire: "We just want to keep the pressure on Surbiton and hopefully they'll slip up in the second half of the season.

"We want to make sure we're in the position to make the most of it as and when they do."

Reading faced Surbiton without several key players who were on international duty with England.

Under the circumstances, Joyce admitted a draw was not a bad result.

"We're never happy to drop points, but given the context of the season and some of the players we were missing, a point was a reasonable result," he said.

"One of our strengths is the depth we have in our squad - you want as many good players in each position as you can.

"We were pleased on Saturday that many of those players stepped up and performed well - in particular our goalkeeper Jamie Legg - as Nick Brothers is with England.

"Hopefully we're in good shape for this weekend - the last league game before the Christmas break."

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