CROWTHORNE Ladies marked their first appearance at their new home at Arborfield Garrison with a fabulous 41-19 victory against Reading Abbey Nuns.

The Thorns made a sensational start as they took the lead almost straight from the kick-off.

Full back Jess Irvine enacted a turnover before passing to Rashael Franklin who in turn set up fly half Holly Bentley for the opening score of the game.

They crossed the whitewash again shortly after following more good work from Franklin, who broke off the back of a scrum down the blindside before offloading to wing Lucy Purser for the score. Bentley converted to make it 12-0.

Birthday girl Purser extended the lead with her second of the day and then produced a brilliant pass to Dom Rowe for the Thorns’ fourth try.

Abbey hit back with a try from Alice Denton to cut the gap but further tries from Irvine and Rowe made it 36-5 at the end of the first half.

Crowthorne had two players sin-binned during the second half, allowing Abbey to further reduce the deficit courtesy of a brace of tries from Jo Richards and Jess Porter.

However, the hosts ended the game on a positive note as the forwards punched through the middle before the ball was spread out to Irvine who finished effectively in the corner.

Abbeyes next outing is at home to Richmond 3rds on Sunday, September 27.