MAN-OF-THE-MATCH Charlie Burton revealed team spirit was key after Rams retained their OBB Division One title following an epic 22-20 home win in the winner-takes-all showdown with previously unbeaten Windsor.

In an outstanding advert for youth rugby, the hosts took the lead as Matt Cox converted a Jack Mander try, only for their opponents to defy the sending off of Will Rider to make it a two-point game at half-time, superb Under 16 scrum-half Lawson Horley touching down.

Despite also being temporarily reduced to 14 men after Matt Hill was sin-binned for a high tackle, Rams started the second half well with Ryan Carr crossing the whitewash, Cox with the extras, before Lucas Hayes-Garcia grabbed Windsor’s second five-pointer.

A Cox penalty from the restart made it 17-10, but the visitors hit the front after Jowan Bailey added to a Lockie Lee try and then kicked what looked like being a match-winning penalty.

Although Mander also saw red for an off-the-ball incident, Rams conjured a moment of magic when Carr raced in from 45 metres out, Oratory School vice-captain Burton then making yet another crucial tackle to stop Horley at the death before his school skipper Cian Tappan forced a skin-saving turnover and back-to-back league triumphs.

Following an extraordinary battle in the spring sunshine, pre-season recruit Charlie admitted: “It’s always tough against Windsor and even more so with it being a title decider, but we’re very happy to come out with the win.

“It’s a great group of guys and the team spirit is helped so much by (head coach) Dave (Cox). He’s a genuine bloke who truly cares about everyone and he’s been doing it forever, so it’s nice to get it done.”

No. 8 Cian was equally delighted with the victory and hailed star man Charlie, adding: “We’ve been playing together for a while at school and have a bit of chemistry, we get on well and it was all about the heart from the team at the end.

“It was an unbelievably physical game and after 10 minutes I felt finished, it was like we’d already played 80, but you just have to keep going.

“The was Ryan finished his second try was unbelievable – I was lying down on the floor on the other side of the field, but the backs did their thing!”

“When I joined last season, I knew straight away the whole ethos of the club is special, and it’s just great to be a part of it. We’re so happy.”