READING RFC suffered their heaviest-ever league defeat as a rampant Newbury side did their promotion chances a world of good, scoring 12 tries during a 78-5 demolition at Holme Park.

Reading’s previous highest defeat was 73-5 at Oxford Harlequins three years ago, while runners-up Newbury will have a home draw in the play-offs against Clevedon.

In some ways the size of the win was scant justice for a Reading side which kept going right to the end, their try, scored by replacement Sam Taylor, coming three minutes from time.

Andy Arter’s (pictured) side competed well in the tight, with the scrum steady and the line-outs won.

Where they lost out, however, was in sheer speed. Newbury defended and attacked at speed and on a good day for handling they ran and passed Reading out of the game.

When the hosts attacked they found the visitors defence impregnable; when Newbury attacked their speed and teamwork proved to be irresistible.

Newbury started scoring tries in the fifth minute and by the 22nd they had a bonus point. Three more came before half time and Rory Jones’ five conversions made it 45-0.

There was no let up in the second half as four more tries were added in 20 minutes before Peter Czernuszka was pulled down just short of the line in a Reading riposte.

Soon after the hosts did construct a try finished off by Taylor. Newbury had the last word, however, with a late converted try.

Reading have a week off before ending their season with a trip to fifth-placed Old Centralians on Saturday, April 22.

Reading visit fifth –placed Old Centralians on Saturday, April 22.