THE Horde (5th XV) made it three Thames Valley Invitation League wins from three as they overcame hosts Reading Rhinos 59-28 under the February sunshine.

The weather was very different from previous weeks and JJ Bell got the show on the road almost instantly, showcasing his trademark footwork and pace to score a wonder-try down the left from some 60 metres out.

Jack Gaylor added the extras before Roy Wilkinson – playing in the unfamiliar role of blind-side flanker – claimed his customary score before the conversion made it 14-0 to the visitors.

It was one-way traffic in the early stages and Rams moved further ahead as Graham Oakley stole a line-out just outside the Reading’ 22, powering forward before a deft off-load sent Richard Inns over in the right-hand corner.

Gaylor landed a tremendous touchline kick before the legendary Frankie Richardson was just unable to claim an off-load with the line at his mercy.

A fourth try did arrive shortly after, however, Shane Hancock’s pace and power seeing him race down the left before cutting back inside to swan dive under the posts, Gaylor on target again.

Yet Reading were not willing to roll over, and they worked their way back into the game as they began to enjoy some possession and territory.

This was added to firstly by Oli Manners getting across the whitewash, then by Jamal Allamby following his lead.

With Mike Stroud converting both the score was now 28-14, but the visitors pulled clear again before the break, Hancock doubling his tally before Tom David converted following Gaylor’s sharp break.

Rams made a flurry of changes at the interval, introducing some younger legs to proceedings, and they collected a seventh try through Josh Grahame before Alex Griffiths’ beautifully timed pass sent Dan Bennett over the line.

David slotted both, the second via drop goal, and he repeated the trick after sniping over himself following a five-metre tap-and-go.

Despite now trailing 59-14, the hosts again refused to yield, and they were to have the final word with a couple of final-quarter scores.

Allamby was the first to touch down as he doubled his tally, Nathan Wheeler bisecting the uprights, before a stunning Matty Anderson break gave Reading the field position to camp inside the five-metre line before they eventually earned a penalty try.