READING Abbey's disappointing Southern Counties North ended with a 64-8 defeat at runners-up Windsor on Saturday.

A Jack Gaylor penalty put the home side in front early on, and they extended their lead with the opening try of the contest shortly after, centre Patrick Birch breaking through to dot down to the left of the posts.

Gaylor made no mistake in adding the extras and Windsor were 10-0 up inside six minutes.

A superb 37-metre Diego de Marcilla Bahlsen penalty cut the gap for Abbey, but the home side responded when Gaylor broke clear and ran up the touchline for his side's second try. His conversion made the score 17-3.

Things got worse for the visitors shortly after, Birch again slicing through the defence to go over for his second converted try, and the bonus point was confirmed with another score just three minutes later as scrum half Ben Grant-Adamson collected his own kick ahead before crossing the whitewash.

Gaylor's miss was to be his only failed kick of the afternoon, but Windsor were in complete control at 29-3 up.

The home side ran in a fifth try on 34 minutes as Birch's centre partner Matt Balmer helped himself to a score, and a cricket score looked on the cards when wing James Cullen went over for another score shortly after.

Remarkably, Windsor still had time to run in a seventh try of the opening half, Grant-Adamson collecting his second of the afternoon before the metronomic Gaylor ensured his side had their half century inside 40 minutes.

To their huge credit, Abbey came out all guns blazing after the interval, and they competed on an equal footing for the entire third quarter before securing a deserved try.

Will Bevan off-loaded to Theo Evered, and the outside half’s pass to Arron Ross saw Abbey’s centre cross on the left for a fine score.

De Marcilla Bahlsen’s conversion attempt from close to touch was an excellent effort, but the ball bounced wide off a post.

Abbey continued to fight bravely, and with normal time up, it actually appeared as though they would claim a moral victory by winning the second half.

Sadly for the visitors, however, Windsor were able to celebrate their promotion with two converted tries in added time.

Firstly, Gaylor touched down to the right of the posts before adding the extras, then No. 8 Chris Emmett capped a fine display by touching down under the posts.

Gaylor's conversion gave him a personal haul of 29 points as the hosts celebrated securing a promotion play-off spot in style.

Despite the result, Abbey – who have endured a difficult season – can take heart from the fact they battled doggedly in the second half when other sides could have shipped 100 points to a side in top form.