RAMS Horde completed a perfect Thames Valley Invitation League campaign with a 46-36 home success against Egham Hollowegians 2nd XV.

In their final game at Old Bath Road, Jack Gaylor was able to pick a sizable squad of more than 30 players, the starting line-up including former first-team centurions Jez Flynn, Andy Amor and Stevie Bryant as the hosts burst out of the traps.

Despite Egham enjoying some early possession and territory, Flynn’s box kick was hoovered up by the evergreen JJ Bell to open the scoring, Andy Saunders with the extras.

Bell doubled his tally soon after, and it was 17-0 after Bryant raced down the left before unselfishly sending centre partner Amor across the whitewash.

Egham deservedly got on the board as a nice inside ball sent Dylan Brignall over next to the posts, Dave Poole with the conversion, and the fly-half completed the trick after Ben Jones went over following another multi-phase move.

Yet Rams took control of proceedings with a devastating 22-point burst after the break, a stunning Joel Davies break sending Shane Hancock in for Theo Pett-Ridge to knock over the conversion.

A brilliant Brad Killick off-load helped Alex Morgans collect his side’s fifth try of the afternoon, and another soon followed as a sensational burst fown the right from John Snoddon ended with Gareth Rea crossing the whitewash.

Rams were now in full flight and Jack Rushton – playing alongside brother Seb and dad Phil – was the next to make significant yards, long-serving Matt Rose finishing the job for 39-14.

Egham, however, refused to yield, and a couple of fine converted tries from Matt Scaysbrook and Leo Arati reduced the deficit to two scores.
Things got even tighter as Jack Cambridge made his way over the line, but Rams regrouped and it was fittingly Flynn – the second top first-team try-scorer in the club’s history – who raced over for the final Horde effort.

Gaylor landed the extras, and while Hollowegians had the final say with Bill Pulling touching down wide left, it was the hosts who were victorious as they improved their chances of taking the title.

Rams are six points clear of Newbury Bulldogs, but could yet be pipped to silverware depending on how many more games both their nearest rivals, Reading Rhinos and Egham complete.