NINE Rams Colts played and two more were included in the wider matchday squad as Berkshire Under 18s were edged out 29-26 by Dorset & Wiltshire at Newbury on Sunday.

Forwards Jake Scott, Jayden Benham, Mason Pennington and Ant Jessett were joined by scrum-half Elliot Jones, Ryan Carr, Declan Grobbelaar, Luke Thorpe and Finlay Wells in action, while injured Rams’ skipper Aaron Preston and Jordan Navetta were also at Monks Lane.

Things did not start well for the Royal County, the visitors hitting the front early on as a quickly taken five-metre tap-and-go ended in a converted try.

More slick work from the away side extended the lead as a smart inside ball sent them under the posts, the kick making it 14-0, but inside centre Carr – continuing his comeback from injury – started the fightback with a powerful close-range finish.

The extras were added to cut the deficit to seven, but Dorset nudged further ahead with another tap-and-go try wide on the left.

Berkshire kept battling, though, and Benham blasted over for another close-range effort before Thorpe slotted a good kick from on the left.

The hosts then levelled as Jerry Jennings dotted down wide right, only for a brilliant individual effort to push his side’s opponents back ahead.

Dorset & Wiltshire came on strong in the later stages, and despite some brilliant defence, Berkshire’s defence was eventually breached again from yet another quick penalty – the ball looped wide for a fifth away try.

There was a final statement of defiance from the Royal County, though, Will Parsons getting over the whitewash for a converted score with the final play of the game.