READING Athletic Club’s senior women had two very good reasons to celebrate last weekend.

They carved another bit of history by producing a magnificent display to win their final UK Women’s League Division Three fixture in Kingston.

And not only did that guarantee promotion for the girls from Palmer Park, but it also earned them the prestige of being crowned league champions.

It has been a memorable season for the club. Having won the same divisional title twice before in 2007 and 2012, their latest victory was arguably the sweetest and most satisfying with a superb spirit among the team and a real show of determination on display.

After two hard-fought opening fixtures, Reading needed to be at their best in the final match and they were able to field their strongest team by far this season.

Their title rivals in the league - Newham & Essex Beagles - were clearly up for the fight as they too were considerably stronger than previous matches, and a tense battle ensued throughout the day.

Phoebe Thomas led the way when she cleared 3m to win the pole vault, while Caroline Parmenter took second in the long jump with 4.84m, with Rachel Rajkumar third in the B string with 4.29m.

The pair then earned good points in the high jump, Caroline clearing 1.55m and Rachel 1.45m for second place.

Reading dominated the hammer throw where Michaela Whitton produced a personal best of 36.04m with her final throw to claim the victory and Julie Wilson threw 30.79 to win the B string.

There was another double victory for Reading on the track where Katie Holt and Katrina Vidzupe were a class apart in the 400m races.

Katie raced superbly in blustery conditions to win with a 64.45 clocking, while Katrina romped to a 13-second win in the B string with 66.79.

In the 800m, Lydia Blythe came third in 2.21.12 and Georgia Walton secured B string second with 2.24.38. Their pair also filled the 400m races, Lydia finishing sixth in the A string and Georgia third in the B.

In the discus, Michaela Whitton threw 40.45m for second place, while Julie Wilson won the B string with 27.76m.

Back on track, Zara Bennett claimed second in the 100m in 12.58 with Shelley Bowen third in the B string in 13.13.

In the 3000m, debutante Sophie Crumly took second with 10.12.33 and Naomi Mitchell won the B string in 10.46.07.

In the triple jump, Rachel Rajkumar leapt 9.29m for second, while Phoebe Thomas went 8.99m for second in the B string.

There were further impressive performances for Katie Holt in the 100m hurdles with 15.66 for second place and Sophie Crumly with second in the 1,500m.

Meanwhile, Michaela Whitton and Julie Wilson both secured third places in the shot, while Katie and Meryl Austin finished second in the A string javelin and fourth in the B string respectively.

Reading then finished third in the 4x400m relay, leaving it to Anna Boniface to claim victory in the steeplechase and secure the Division 3 title from Newham by 14 points.