COLTS Head Coach Dave Cox hopes his side ‘finish with something tangible’ as they aim to win OBB Division One at home to Newbury on Sunday (2.30pm).

In a fabulous campaign which saw Rams reach the semi-finals of the National Cup, they also sit top of the league with a magnificent seven wins from seven – though a late slip could yet allow second-placed Chinnor in to steal the title at the final hurdle.

And while Newbury have not enjoyed the greatest campaign, the fact their then Under 16s pushed Rams to the limit in a similar decider 12 months ago, means Dave remains wary following a challenging campaign.

He explained: “We’ve been pushed all the way and there hasn’t been a single easy game. We got the better of Chinnor, who won the league last year, with one of our best performances of the season, but ever since that they’ve won every game with a bonus-point.

“There’s a lot riding against Newbury on Sunday and whatever happens it will still be a great season, but the boys have worked so hard since last July and I hope they can finish with something tangible.

“Newbury are a big threat and a side we’ve got huge respect for, we’ve had some great battles over the years and while their form hasn’t been as good this season, they can turn it on.

“We get on well with them as a club, and it’s fitting we played them at the end of last year, then started the season with a pre-season game against them and now this one.”

Tomorrow’s encounter is a first for the Colts since their 56-12 last-four Cup exit at Dorking, but Dave believes they have responded well to the setback and has urged them to follow a mantra he has spoken for more than two decades.

He continued: “We’ve had a couple of games unfortunately called off, but the lads have stuck to training three times a week, knuckled down and it’s given us a chance to work on a few things. They trained very well on Thursday.”

“I’ve said it to all my age groups at the start of every season, it’s the start of a journey and all we can do is hope to build memories, whether good or bad, which will set you up for the rest of your life.

“As a player and coach, I’ve got a locker-full to reminisce about, but this one has already been special, and I’ll have several more memories to cherish.”

As older Colts, Ollie Ireland, Nick Jessett, Josh Jones, Louis Roumignac, Cam Oakley, Theo Pett-Ridge, Paddy Brown, Callum du Preez and Finn Ivory will be signing off, and Dave added: “With some of the players going onto University, they could go in different directions, we don’t know how many will become Senior Rams, so I just hope it ends as a fitting finish for them, whatever the result.

“They’re all excited.”

On what should be a special day, following on from the Minis Festival in the morning, Old Bath Road should be rocking and Dave praised those not in the matchday squad by reaffirming they have been crucial as those who could bring home the title tomorrow.

He said: “It’s the last game for this team and we’re expecting family, friends and loads of the other guys not playing will also be there – that’s been such a strength this season. It maybe an A team game, but without the Extras As, there’s no way we’d have had the success we’ve had.

“It’s truly been a whole squad effort, and we want as many people as we can down to cheer the guys on and hopefully have something to celebrate afterwards.

“If we can get anything like the support for last year’s final and the Cup games this year, it would be amazing."

And if the result goes the way it is hoped, Dave ended by saying fellow coaches and managers Glyn Mosses, Owen Espley, Shaun Sheppard, Ian Parsons, Paul Jessett and Adrian Ivory will need to be at the head of the party, concluding: “It’s been superb to have all the help I’ve had from the other coaches and behind the scenes.

“It’s been a team effort on the pitch but also one off it. Everyone’s been pulling in the same direction and without that collective team spirit, it wouldn’t have been one of the happiest ships I’ve been part of.”

Bars will be open and food on sale during the afternoon, with supporters asked to arrive from 1.30pm onwards.