READING Women enjoyed their best weekend of the season in Conference West by winning both their home games, writes Dave Wright.

Facing two sides still seeking their first win, they defeated Oxford Hawks 1-0 on Saturday and Exe 5-0 a day later, leaving them with a healthy 10-point gap over the bottom two sides.

They are up to fifth in the table, although the two sides immediately below them, Trojans and Isca, are two points behind with a game in hand.

Keeping clean sheets were a real confidence booster for 15-year-old goalkeeper Abi Miller, who was making her first Investec League appearances.

The Holt schoolgirl was rarely tested with her side dominating both games, even though they struggled to find the net against the Hawks.

Their only goal came from a penalty corner finished off by Emma Royce in the seventh minute.

However, the Blues were much sharper in front of goal on Sunday with Katie Pugh opening the scoring in the fourth minute.

Four minutes later, Tracey Johnson doubled the lead and a confident-looking side scored twice more just before half-time through player-coach Jo Ellis and India Shakespeare from a penalty corner.

Reading continued to dominate the second half, but managed to add just one more goal and that came from Keelie Perham shortly after the hour mark.

Summing up the weekend, Ellis commented: "It was a job well done. We are now looking to move further up the table."

She takes her side down the M4 to face third-placed Swansea City this coming Saturday (noon).

Jemma Stephenson scored four goals as Reading Ladies Rockets defeated local rivals Phoenix & Ranelagh 7-0 to reach the semi-finals of England Hockey's Tier 3 Championship.

Shannon Ross, Lizzie Mansell and Lucy Scott also netted, but Reading admitted the scoreline failed to reflect their opponents' spirited performance.

In the Women's Tier 3 Championship, Sonning won through to the last 16 by defeating Henley 3-2 on penalties after the tie had ended 2-2.

They now face the University of Birmingham 3rds at home on February 24.