READING RFC’s relegation from South West One East was confirmed with four games to go as they were thumped 46-14 in their bottom-of-the-table trip to Chippenham.

Two tries from centre Alex Dorliac were some consolation, but Reading found themselves up against a much better Chippenham side than they met earlier in the season. The home team played a flowing brand of open rugby at speed and Reading were playing catch-up from very early in the game.

The portents had not been good from the outset, as player-coach Andy Arter pulled a muscle in the warm-up which meant centre Dan Witko had to go to fly half, flanker Peter Czernuszka moved to centre and replacement Taylor McRoberts came in as a flanker. Stuart Borthwick had gone to support and he found himself on the bench.

In the circumstances it was not surprising that Reading started badly against a side firing on all cylinders.

Ball from Chippenham’s kick-off was gifted back to the hosts who would have scored in the first minute but for a handling mistake.

Reading then had the put in for two early scrums and lost them both. It was not surprising that an early try from Matt Dickens and a brace from Sammy Saunders – plus a conversion – put them 17-0 up before the first quarter was out.

It was a Chippenham mistake which brought Reading’s first try. As the home team passed the ball along the line, Dorliac spotted the chance of an interception and raced over from 50 yards. Nick Portch, who had another excellent game at scrum half, converted.

However, 17-7 was soon 24-7 as home centre John Turner finished off a flowing move, Saunders converting.

After the break Reading came back with a strong attack, but failed to score after taking a tap penalty five metres out and Chippenham came away for Lewis Surry to score.

The visitors then put together their best move of the match, Borthwick making the final pass for Dorliac to touch down his second.

Portch again converted and 29-14 down gave some hope, but Chippenham finished things off with three late tries – from Bradley Doggett, Fraser Clilverd and Surry, the last converted by Dom Riccio.

Reading host Grove in their next game on Saturday, March 25.