READING Abbey moved up to fourth in the Southern Counties North table with an impressive 30-11 home victory against Stow-on-the-Wold.

The first 10 minutes saw Abbey camped in the visitors' half, but the home side only had three points to show from it as Charlie Shackleford kicked a penalty.

Stow fly-half Jake Collett levelled matters on 17 minutes as his side finally entered the Abbey 22, and his second successful kick made it 6-3 to the away side on the half-hour mark.

Luke Harding's men hit back, though, Shackleford landing his second penalty, and they went in front before the break when they bravely opted to kick for the corner rather than taking another shot at goal.

From the resulting line-out, Abbey controlled the ball effectively before replacement Ollie Charlton broke off the back of a maul to score with Shackleford adding the extras to make it 13-6 at the interval.

Stow were again caught offside early in the second half, enabling Shackleford to take his personal haul into double figures with another successful kick which put his side 10 points clear.

He blotted his copy book by failing with another attempt midway through the half, but Abbey landed a crucial blow when No. 8 Matthew Simmons charged 30 metres before being hauled down.

After numerous pick-and-drives as they approached the Stow try-line, a clever inside ball from Jules Greenaway found Shackleford who crossed under the posts before converting.

At 23-6 down, a frustrated Stow further shot themselves in the foot when their tight-head prop saw red for throwing a punch, and Abbey capitalised in the 70th minute.

After a held-up pick-and-go, centre Dan Love crashed through the three-quarter line to score Abbey’s third try which was easily converted to all but put the game to bed.

From the restart, the visitors lost their other prop to the sin-bin for a high tackle, but the last 10 minutes were frustrating for the home side as they searched for a bonus point try.

Despite good territory and numerical advantages Abbey were not very clinical, a common theme throughout the day, and even more frustratingly they conceded a consolation try via Ed Fanshaw in the last play of the game after Stow-on-the-Wold exploited a three-man overlap down the right with ease.

The conversion was missed, but the home side will rue their inability to score a fourth try despite an excellent win.

Reading Abbey visit second-placed Wallingford this coming Saturday.