READING Raiders hammered 2017 West of England League winners Swindon St. George 62-6 on Saturday.

Raiders opened the score with a storming try from Alex French, converted by captain John Boucher, and the pair then repeated the feat to make it 12-0.

Swindon, in an impressive recovery, launched a perfectly-placed kick to the unmarked left wing which brought what was to be their only score.

The match took a decisive turn with Reading full back Luke Schofield crossing twice to make it 22-6 at the break.

The second half continued in the same vein as Boucher, capitalising on powerful drives from the forwards, crossed the line after a fine solo run, his conversion bringing the score to 28-6.

Kerry O’Sullivan was next to cross before French completed his hat-trick and Schofield went over again.

Alex Dorliac added a brace and newcomer Ricky Frost celebrated his debut as a forward substitute with a well-taken try from a slick passing movement among the forwards to edge the Raiders’ score over the 60 mark.

Reading host Somerset Vikings in a play-off game on Saturday as they stake their claim for a semi-final place.

  • RAIDERS loose forward Simon Kalafusz made Berkshire Rugby League history when he stepped out onto the pitch on Saturday in the first-ever test match played on Hungarian turf.

This home fixture in Budapest was against World No.11 team, Ireland in a World Cup Emerging Nations qualifier.

Kalafusz has had a storming season and recently collected man-of-the-match awards in back-to-back games for the Raiders.

His international appearance meant him having to miss Raiders’ first ‘Super 5s’ play-off in the West of England League away to Swindon St. George.

Simon, who admits to knowing more Welsh than Magyar, honed down his rugby league skills when playing in the Army and looks forward now to establishing himself in the Hungarian national side who are currently ranked 33 in the world.