Newbury Women’s 1st XV’s last away game of the season was the local derby against a fighting Reading Abbey.

Abbey, needing the win to keep themselves away from the relegation fight, Newbury knew the game would be a dog fight.

From the kick off Newbury knew Abbey would be looking to utilise their strong kicker. Their plan to gain territory and play the ball away was hindered by Newbury’s ability to transition play and find space even on a narrow pitch.

Tries were run in from forwards and backs alike, whether it was a crash ball up the centre of the pitch or a distribution out to the wing for the likes of wingers Ellen Thorton and Chloe Darby to dart through the defence and dot down time and time again.

Abbey continued to put up a fight despite Newbury’s attacking dominance and forged onwards, gaining two tries bringing the score to 10-36.

Despite the gap closing, Newbury continued to be relentless throughout the game and racked up further points try after try.

Reading Abbey squeezed a try in to keep their points racking up but Newbury’s conversions helped build the points up for Newbury and finished the game with a 17-65 score line going into the final game of the season.