COLTS head coach Dave Cox was thankful to the rugby gods for smiling on his side as they defended the OBB Division One title with a pulsating 22-20 home victory against previously unbeaten Windsor.

In a fabulous winner-takes-all title decider at Old Bath Road, Ryan Carr’s late try proved the match-winner in a game where the visitors had hit the front for the first time shortly before.

Rams led 7-5 at the break after Matt Cox converted a Jack Mander try, Windsor hitting back thanks to Lawson Horley after they had been reduced to 14 men with Will Rider sent off.

Carr’s first, added to by Cox, was replied to by Lucas Hayes-Garcia, a Rams penalty making it 17-10.

Jowan Bailey converted a Lockie Lee try before landing a three-pointer to nudge the visitors closer to glory, only for Carr to have the final word after Mander had become the second to receive his marching orders.

Reflecting on a riveting contest, Dave said: “It was an outstanding game between two very good sides who’ve had fantastic seasons.

“When I saw the fixtures back in July I thought it was always going to come down to the last game and I’m delighted – it could have gone either way, it was fine margins, but thankfully the rugby gods were with us.

“With a missed kick or a missed tackle we could have been the losers, so it was very satisfying to win.”

He continued: “I’ve coached some of the guys since they were seven or eight and in sport you have to endure the lows to enjoy the highs.

“They’re a superb bunch of lads and for many years we lost more than we won. But they’ve just kept at it, focused on their core skills and it was a great way to finish their junior careers at Rams.”

Carr’s 45-metre decider was a fitting way to settle a belter, the Colts following up last year’s unbeaten campaign on the back of success at Under 16 level two years ago.

And Dave admitted: “It was a brilliant try to win it. When we had the red card I was unsure if we’d be able to pull it out the bag, but we just needed one chance and they executed under the highest pressure. It’s testament to all the work they’ve put in.”

With many of the squad having spent their whole careers at the club, it was summer recruit Charlie Burton was took the man-of-the -match honours, and the head coach was proud of the way his squad’s unity has grown over the years.

He ended: “Charlie’s been a breath of fresh air, we’d played against him in the past but he’s just been brilliant. He’s got an amazing attitude, and he was just on another level.

“Along with the likes of Cian (Tappan) and George Bottomley, the ones who’ve come in in the past couple of years, they’ve been outstanding.

“And it was also fantastic to see so many people supporting, lots of youngsters making lots of noise – it helped make a fitting way to the league season.”