READING Abbey gave the group leaders Beaconsfield a tough run-out but they were ultimately thrashed 37-6 after conceding six tries.

A double for Jack Hopkins and Idrusu Labri gave the hosts a formidable lead and one that proved unassailable, after Abbey failed to make the most of several golden opportunities.

Winger Diego de Marcilla Bahlsen contributed six points by converting two penalties to hand the visitors a brief 6-5 lead, including a confident kick from distance to give his side hope of achieving a remarkable comeback.

It was business as usual for the league leaders, with the first of six tries coming after only five minutes. The pressure continued to mount, with Abbey being pinned in their own 22.

The slender advantage was overturned in a matter of minutes as Hopkins and Labri asserted their dominance against an obdurate defence.

The visitors remained positive in the closing stages of the 40 minutes despite trailing 27-6 and a second-half shake up saw Beaconsfield starved of success for long periods.

It took half an hour for Beaconsfield to breach the Abbey defence when the sides returned to the field, when Sam Cartwright ploughed in from close range for another score.

Mike Beckly was an excellent stand-in centre for Abbey, while Matt Seabourne’s defence was particularly strong on the day.

Abbey: G Dampies, M Seabourne, C Shackleford, B Mitchell (G Webster 39), D de Marcilla Bahlsen, J Lambert-Taylor, W Bevan (captain), W Waring (W Lane 25-40, 54), O Charlton, A Postlethwaite, J Knights, C Shaw, G House (D Norville 47), E House, M Beckly.