READING RFC produced an outstanding display to thrash neighbours Reading Abbey in their Southern Counties North encounter on Saturday.

The tone was set as early as the fifth minute after a period of patient play ended with Alex Murray-Smith attempting a chip over the top.

Charged down, the kick was rescued by Stuart Borthwick, who slipped it to George Dear who in turn set-up skipper Andy Parr for the touch down.

The visitors came back with a well-taken penalty from scrum-half John Malivoire, but Reading retaliated as the Borthwick and Dear combination ran back from deep to put Chris Greig in for a try.

Patient play then set-up the visitors with a five-metre scrum from which debut winger Christian Floyd profited with his first try for the club.

With the score just 10-8 there was all to play for, but before half time Reading were able to extend the lead to a more comfortable 18-8.

Nick Burch kicked a penalty after Abbey were caught off-side and, just before half-time, Dear claimed a loose ball, ran right and set up co-centre Grant Spears, who burst through an attempted tackle to score.

Ten minutes into the second half try number four came, as former Abbey prop Ed Whelan, a second half replacement, made an immediate impact as he intercepted and raced 40 yards for a try.

The next try then came from Murray-Smith, who dummied his way through to score under the posts, Burch converting.

The scores then kept coming. First Greig emphasised his worth to the side, taking a pass on the left on the halfway line and, with a superb swerving run, accelerating past three hopeful Abbey defenders on his way to the line. Alex Dorliac converted and Reading had 40 points.

Reading’s final try came from Dorliac, who skilfully grabbed Murray-Smith’s towering kick to the right corner to spin over for the try. The Reading Abbey side never stopped competing and completed the scoring with a try from the deserving George House.

Reading coach Ben Wills was delighted at his side’s performance, stating: “I thought the half-backs, Nick Burch and Alex Murray-Smith, played very well, and Will Proctor-Searle did well at hooker.

"I was pleased with the set-piece and the intensity and cohesion of the team. And they stuck well to the game plan. “

Reading travel to Stow on the Wold on Saturday, while Reading Abbey visit Shipston on Stour hoping to pick up at least a first point of their season.

IN Berks, Bucks & Oxon Two South, Berkshire Shire Hall thrashed Newbury 3rds 75-5.

BSH visit Phoenix on Saturday.