HEAD Coach Dave Cox was relieved his side escaped a ‘brilliant advert for Colts rugby’ to reach round three of the National Cup following a thrilling 24-17 success at Chinnor.

Matt Cox converted an early Ollie Preston score to put the visitors in front, only for Ben Giles to cut the gap to 7-5.

George Bottomley barrled over from close-range to pust Rams seven points in front but their old rivals were level before the break thanks to a converted Ewan Gatt effort.

As the tension mounted it was the away side who moved back into the lead thanks to Obi Nwachuku, Oscar Wade equalising at 17-17 before a magnificent Declan Grobbelaar try finally gave Rams the edge – Cox’s touchline conversion giving them breathing space in a game where a draw would have seen the visitors through.

Following a high-class contest, Dave remarked: “I said in the post-match huddle it was one of the highest-calibre Colts games I’ve seen, and both sides should take huge credit for the performance.

“It was full-on, no quarter was asked and none was given, but everyone was shaking hands at the end of the game and it was a brilliant advert for Colts rugby.

He continued: “I said before there’s never an easy game at Chinnor, having played here, coaching the first-team, you never get an easy ride.

“We beat them in pre-season, but they just responded and made it a real ding-dong.

“At half-time it was a 50/50 game which could have gone either way, but we dug deep and just about deserved to get over the line.

“At 12-12 as the away side you know the draw takes you through and it gives you a bit of leeway, but one penalty and the game’s done the other way, so it is the jeopardy which makes it an amazing feeling – even if it’s on a cliff-edge throughout.”

Rams edged out Marlow 19-10 in a first-round thriller to follow several nailbiters last season – most notably at home to Old Patesians and Ivybridge on their way to the semi-finals before Dorking proved too strong in the last four.

But the side remains strong and Dave added: “The journey goes on and credit to the new guys who came in – there were a lot of changes and five debutants, so I couldn’t be prouder.”

There have been plenty of famous Rams’ scores at Chinnor – and plenty against the visitors – but Grobbellar’s match-winner would be up with some of the best.

A trio of out-the-back hand off-loads eventually sent the South African over on the right, a continuity move initiated by a turnover in midfield ultimately ending in glory with Dave confessing: “I was having kittens – it was exactly the kind of thing I’d said be mindful of when you’re five metres out.

“To do it once, let alone three times in a row, luckily we executed and if we hadn’t I might have pulled out what’s left of my hair if we’d bombed it, but it was some score.”

Following two tough tests to get through the opening rounds, Dave saved his last words for outstanding captain Aaron Preston, the mature Piggott School youngster who has had to keep his side focussed throughout various testing moments.

And Dave ended: “I’ve had the benefit of coaching Aaron since he was probably 12 years old – he was a loose-head prop who we’ve turned into a back row – and we took the decision to make his captain as a junior colt.

“It’s not the norm but I just knew he’d grow into it and he hasn’t disappointed, he’s got a calm head, works well with the boys and the referees, and when we needed to show the steel edge, he truly stepped up.”

The Colts and Extra As are both at home to Chinnor in OBB Division One and Three this Sunday (1.30pm), with the last 32 tie in the cup at Tring on Sunday, November, 17.