Christmas came early for Reading-based clubs in the league last Saturday as Rams, Reading and Reading Abbey all trotted off the pitch with a big, fat win.

For Reading and neighbours Abbey it was the ideal way to wrap up the first half of their 2018/19 seasons while Rams have yet another outing to manoeuvre this Saturday before settling down to some Yuletide celebrations.

In fact, in the kind of form they are in, having chalked up their 11th straight victory by trouncing Birmingham & Solihull, they should have little difficulty in seeing off bottom side London Irish Wilde Geese (2pm) on home soil this Saturday.

That is why they will head into 2019 at the top of the table and hell-bent on promotion.

As for my boys Reading, a 31-3 away win at Littlemore was definitely a pre-Christmas tonic and very much needed.

It leaves us in equal 10th place alongside High Wycombe going into 2019.

On a day when it was difficult to watch, let alone play rugby, Reading got the bonus-point win they hoped for against a side who have yet to win a game this season.

Dominating proceedings was the weather but, in the wind and with cold and continual rain pouring down on a wide open rugby field with no shelter, it was the home side who took the lead with a penalty early on.

Reading’s response was to keep the ball close, the passes short and to drive hard with forwards Rob Cunningham and Ryan Smith leading the way.

Centres Alex Dorliac and George Dear were prominent with powerful runs while scrum-half Nick Burch was a constant thorn in Littlemore’s side.

The boys will have to work hard to make it three straight wins against high-flying Windsor in their next game after the winter break.

But a good performance will certainly help the Reading newboys bed in.

Dan Gyles is making an impact at prop, Ed Dixon is going well in the back row, Burch’s kicking has made a huge difference, George Dear is scoring tries regularly and Tom West’s try came in just his second game.

They will be looking forward to the New Year with renewed optimism.

And, finally, Reading Abbey had a good result away seeing off High Wycombe, 36-19, and picking up another bonus point. Manager, Luke Harding, must be happy with that one and the squad now face Marlow in their first match of the New Year and who are just above them in seventh place of the Wadsworth 6X Southern Counties North table.

A very Merry Christmas to all the Chronicle readers!