READING Abbey Ladies took a massive step towards their Championship title hopes after securing an emphatic 52-5 win over Drybrook, writes Fiona Tomas.

The victory for Jacky Reynold’s side sees the Nuns leapfrog Newbury Ladies into second place, just one point behind Guildford Gazelles – whom they will play next – and with a game to spare.

Abbey ran in an impressive eight tries en route to clinching a vital bonus point which they needed to aid them in chasing top spot, in a dominant display.

Alice Denton crossed twice as the Nuns started on the front foot after being fed by the quick-thinking Ellie Rice before pouncing on Annette Tomas’ grubber moments later.

But Drybrook responded when their fly-half muscled her way over the line after a period of possession and an ensuing penalty.

Lou Burgham grabbed Abbey’s third to qualm fears before the break, after which Abbey turned up the heat.

Prop Hollie King came off the bench to make a heroic appearance since recovering from a car accident last month to make a heroic impact in driving Drybrook back and forcing an error.

From the resulting scrum, the Abbey turned up the fluidity with the backs running the ball and clever hands from Tomas, Denton, Matthews and Burgham almost released winger Sarah Northover in the corner.

Moments later, fly half Nat Bow, commanding her new position, reacted well to loose ball and weaved her way through Drybrook’s defence to claim her side’s bonus point.

The floodgates then opened and Denton grabbed two more before Claire Stevens claimed one with a strong powerful run off Rice.

Burgham finished off proceedings by running a short line to score her side’s eighth to give her side the upper hand heading into their all-important clash against the table leaders on 25 March.