RAMS Development and Brunel University served up a cracker in a 24-24 floodlit draw at Old Bath Road.

The home side took an early lead as hooker Harry Bicknell went over at the back of a powerful maul, Mike Cooke converting.

But the students replied well and levelled almost immediately.

Their opponents failed to deal with the restart, and after blasting away at the line for a few phases, prop Billy Kerslake powered over from close range.

The extras levelled matters, and Brunel hit the front as Alex Smith rode a set-piece over the line.

His opposite man Bicknell, though, replied in kind to make it 12-12.

The lead then changed hands for a third time as Rams nudged back in front, the hosts claiming a bouncing ball on the left before Henry Kirwan dived over.

Cooke’s conversion attempt his the post, and Brunel then led at the break following the try of the night.

The students went from inside their own 22 with a blistering combination of pace, handling and support runners seemingly on tap.

And it was fittingly finished when wing Billy Pullan dotted down under the posts, a successful kick making it 19-17 at half-time.

Returning Atkins crosses whitewash

Yet Rams came out strongly at the start of the second period, and returning captain Ben Atkins scored a superb solo try to get his side back in front.

Out for nine months with a knee injury, the skipper showed pace and power to shrug off a couple of would-be defenders during a 25-yard effort.

Replacement Will Hibberdine slotted the conversion.

And play was almost exclusively in the Brunel 22 for the next 25 minutes.

But a combination of the hosts’ profligacy and some magnificent Brunel defence – despite a yellow card – kept the latter in the game.

A couple of lively discussions between opposing players heightened the atmosphere in front of a strong midweek crowd, before the University struck against the run of play with five minutes remaining.

They initially burst down the right before a cross-field kick was collected by Leo Elder to finish in the corner.

Brunel had a glorious chance to hit the front with, spilling a ball near the try-line.

The game continued to ebb and flow until the visitors turned down a kickable penalty to go to the corner.

But they messed up the set-piece to ensure a deserved draw for both sets of players.

The two teams meet in London next Wednesday (7.15pm).