READING remarkably pulled off the Great Escape at the expense of play-off preparing Salisbury RFC in a topsy-turvy encounter.

The Berkshire outfit recorded a 32-28 bonus-point victory which was enough to retain their South West 1 (East) status.

While at the opposite end of the table, Green and Whites arrived at Holme Park having already secured second spot and with it their place in the play-off final. They were getting warmed up for Saturday's home showdown with Thornbury (3pm), with the winner to be promoted to National League 3 South West.

The home side were pumped up and threw themselves forward from the off and, when Tom Lane was caught offside and binned, Reading took full advantage of their numerical superiority to drive over for a try, successfully converted.  

Tom Pottage kicked two penalties to close the scores before a series of drives from a line out saw the hosts score again; the conversion made it 14-6.

Salisbury looked dazed and Reading took full advantage scoring a well-worked try to lead 21-6.

The visitors now stepped up and Lane, restored to the fray, kicked a penalty before from a period of pressure. Salisbury opted for a scrum penalty and marched the home pack backwards, Jamie Miller controlled the ball beautifully and Dave Tonge dived under a mass of bodies to score, Lane converting. The half ended 21-16.

Rob Best made a barnstorming run and fed Miller who touched down wide out and the scores were level. Another mazy run from Best then set Rob Larcombe clear but the pass was adjudged forward.

Reading then scored again before losing their scrum half to the bin. It was the visitors’ turn to exert pressure and Bobby Saunders crashed over by the posts, Lane’s conversion putting the Wiltshire side in front for the first time.

Sadly it was not to be and two penalties for the home side saw them home with a bonus point, which saw them narrowly avoid relegation after a wretched season.

Salisbury’s United XV finished their league campaign in fourth following a thrilling encounter with Lytchett Minster, which they lost after conceding a last-minute penalty.