COLTS head coach Dave Cox believed his side’s hard work throughout the season makes them deserving National Cup quarter-finalists following their hard-fought 13-5 home success against Old Patesians on Sunday.

Rams found the going tough in the early exchanges at Old Bath Road, the visitors flying out the blocks after making immediate yards having received the kick-off.

Most of the opening 10 minutes was played in the home half – and much of that in their 22 – but some resolute defence held Old Pats out until Ollie Downwood eventually crossed on the right.

Rams gathered themselves, however, and began to get a foothold in the contest before their opponents were reduced to 14 men following a deliberate knock-on while defending inside the 22.

The hosts levelled shortly before half-time, though, Matt Cox’s lovely pass sending Callum du Preez over on the right, albeit Old Pats then butchered a glorious chance to regain the advantage when knocking on having already crossed the whitewash.

And the Gloucestershire men were made to pay for their profligacy midway through the second period, a superb Patrick Brown finish added to by a Cox penalty as Rams made it a two-score game.

Old Pats battled valiantly to the end, and the hosts were forced to defend magnificently in the latter stages – which included eight minutes of injury-time – before celebrating a fine success.

Dave admitted: “It was a massive battle – I’ve played and coached against Old Pats and totally respect them, they’re a great outfit.

“It could have gone either way and nobody would have complained if they’d taken it at the end, but it was an outstanding performance from us.

“Old Pats are a very good side – you won’t play any side at this stage which isn’t – but our goal-line defence was superb all the way through and I couldn’t be more proud.”

Despite the low-scoring nature of the contest, it did not lack for drama in front of a decent-sized crowd, with Dave reflecting: “We haven’t played at home since late October and to have a couple of hundred up watching was brilliant and much appreciated.

“There were errors made, but the quality on show was very good from both sets of players. There was great energy and some good passages of play.

“We have a very close squad, you get that from training on Tuesdays and Thursdays and working hard all the time, and they deserve the success.”

Rams are due to host Ivybridge in the last eight next month. This Sunday they return to OBB Division One action at Marlow.