MATCH REPORT: UNBEATEN COLTS KEEP UP LEAGUE TITLE PURSUIT

RAMS Colts made it a magnificent seven OBB Division One wins from seven as they kept their title dreams alive with a 38-12 home success against neighbours Reading Abbey.

On a grim afternoon at Old Bath Road, it was the hosts who drew first blood with a strong carry from hooker Josh Jones taking Rams towards the line before Ollie Ireland burrowed over from close range, Matt Cox making no mistake with the conversion.

Things got better on the quarter-of-an-hour mark, back row Jack Mander scoring a similar try as he powered over before Cox extended the lead to 14-0.

The Rams’ forwards were imposing themselves in tough conditions – the well-drilled maul repeatedly rumbling forward through the mud – but the visitors also looked lively, especially in the backs where outside centre Paddy Brown had to make a couple of well-timed and big tackles to close down impending danger.

Rams extended their lead early in the second period as prop Ireland doubled his tally, Cox maintaining his perfect record from the tee, and it was another forward, excellent No. 8 Cian Tappan who collected the bonus-point score.

With Cox making it four from four it was 28-0, and the hosts went further in front as full-back Theo Pett-Ridge crossed the whitewash.

Abbey, however, remained committed throughout and grabbed a deserved converted try to get on the scoreboard.

Rams replied as Finn Ivory went over, but it was the away side who had the final word with a late consolation.

Victory takes Rams to 33 points from their seven matches played, eight clear of second-placed Chinnor, who have a game in hand and are the only side who can also win the competition.

They will, however, guarantee the title if they retain their unbeaten campaign in the final game of the season, home to Newbury on Sunday, April 21.

Prior to that the Colts have the small matter of a first National Cup semi-final since 2011 when they head to Dorking on Easter Sunday, March 31 (1.30pm).

Speaking recently, coach Glyn Mosses encouraged the players to relish the opportunities ahead, revealing: “It’s all coming to something of a crescendo and pie in the sky stuff with where they are – they’re in places they’ve never been before, but we’ve just got to make sure we put in good performances.

“If the lads play their best, it will take a good team to beat them.”