READING Abbey Nuns started as they mean to go on in Championship Two South West with a 50-0 eight-try demolition of Teddington Antlers in their first league game of the season.

With three of the six debutants claiming tries – Alice Lawrence, Caz Shepherd and Precious Ampontuah – the Rosehill outfit showed their strength in depth under the careful leadership of their more experienced players.

Outside centre Alice Denton enjoyed a fine day from the boot, bagging 10 points from the tee including the conversion which took the Nuns to the half-century mark.

Having been relegated last season from Championship One South, the Nuns were keen to keen to make a marker early on and it was captain Annette Bevan who crossed in the first five minutes to put her side ahead.

Vice-captain Annabel Hawkins crossed shortly after and Bevan completed her hat-trick before half-time, finishing off well-worked moves from a solid platform from the forward pack.

In the second half, the Nuns were eager for a bonus-point victory and strong carries from Fowler, Manning and Driver kept momentum high. Intelligent, high-tempo rugby kept the Nuns on the front foot and eventually rewarded debutants Lawrence, Shephard and Ampontuah with tries.

It was converted wing Pippa Robinson who scored the final try after an excellent trademark run from Denton, having been released by scrum-half Ellie Rice.

Head coach Lewis Jones said: “I’m pleased with how hard the team worked and happy to see the new systems we brought in during pre-season working.

"There’s a few things to work on, but all in all it was a good start to what looks like an exciting season.”

The Nuns host Devon-based outfit Cullompton on Sunday 15th.