BERKSHIRE LADIES succumbed to a disappointing opening 25-5 defeat to Surrey in the first weekend of the new county season at London Irish’s training ground in Hazelwood, writes Fiona Tomas.

Surrey enjoyed the brighter start when Jayne Meadows converted an early penalty after her side pinned Berkshire in their own 22, before Zoe Smith’s try extended the lead.

But the Royal County responded through in-form Reading Abbey Nuns centre Alice Denton, who clinically finished in the corner after a line-out steal from fellow Nun Meg Fowler.

The sides went in at the break with only three points between them, but Abbey were on the front foot at the start of the second half, although they failed to turn pressure into points.

After frustrating Berkshire with prolonged phases of play, Surrey increased the gap when Lil Knight crashed over the line at 13-5 and put daylight between the two sides.

Surrey were now in the driving seat and before long, quick thinking from the backs released Kirsty Lee-Griffiths who crossed the line to put the game beyond Berkshire.

Meadows successfully converted and hooker Vicki Boothman had the final say, when she added another try late on to add gloss to the scoreline.