READING Abbey Ladies took a massive step to securing promotion as they beat second-placed Newbury 12-0 at Rose Hill to move nine points clear at the top of the South East West One table, writes Fiona Tomas.

The Nuns went into the match on the back of a 15-game winning streak but there were no signs of complacency from Dave Swan’s side as Abbey enjoyed the brighter start.

Fly half Annette Tomas kept up her record of scoring in every league match this season and ensured Abbey were on the front foot inside the first quarter.

The stand off spotted a gap in Newbury’s back line and dummied the full-back before storming past to score Abbey’s first try, with Alice Denton following up with the conversion.

Tomas showcased more of her attacking prowess minutes later when she exploited a poorly organised Newbury defence, running from the half-way line to score under the posts.

While Denton could not convert, Abbey lead 12-0 at the break, having kept a resurgent Newbury at bay with forwards Hollie King, Meaghan Fowler and Harriet Driver standing firm and providing some huge defensive hits on their opposite numbers.

Scrum half Ellie Rice steered possession towards Newbury’s half with a series of box-kicks as the Nuns looked to consolidate their lead, but the chasing Abbey backs could not thwart the Newbury defence which held firm.

The second half was a much more physical contest as Newbury improved their defensive line and intensified their aggression.

Abbey’s opponents were efficient in quickly recycling the ball at the breakdown and prevented the Nuns from making ground.

Abbey’s best chance came when Denton ran a brilliant line, who offloaded to Tomas who in turn found Rice, but the University of Bath skipper couldn’t convert as she was tackled at the last minute.

Moments later, a second effort by the Abbey pack was held up tantalisingly short of the line.

Despite Abbey losing full back Natalie Bow to the bin for a high tackle, the Nuns had enough to keep Newbury out and extend their unbeaten season, which will surely see them be crowned champions with three league matches remaining.

  • READING Abbey slipped to a 24-16 defeat at Witney in their South West One East clash on Saturday.

George Lewis opened the scoring for the hosts with a converted try, but an Ollie Walton score, added to by two penalties from the same player, put Abbey 11-7 up, only for the hosts to be awarded a penalty try which made it 14-11 to Witney at half time.

James Merriman extended the lead four minutes into the second period, and when Alex Froggat went over from the back of a rolling maul, the writing was on the wall for the visitors.

The inspirational Sam Hallett gave Abbey hope with a try 10 minutes from time, but the visitors were unable to claim a losing bonus point.