SEVEN former Rams Colts helped Berkshire Under 20s reach the South-West Division One final of the Jason Leonard County Championship following a 26-22 win at Gloucestershire.

Prop Ollie Ireland, fellow forwards Charlie Burton and Aaron Preston, scrum-half Louis Roumignac and full-back Theo Pett-Ridge all started in a thriller.

And front row Jake Scott and fly-half Matt Cox came off the bench as the Royal County finished the job at Stroud RFC.

Five other players who have represented either the club’s Development XV or Under 23s this season also played their part.

They were starters Jacob Kyte, Ethan Bassett and Nathan Killilea, along with substitutes Sam Kaminaris and Ollie Morgan.

The visitors fell behind to a fine finish from Gloucestershire full back Conal Navraz.

But they levelled matters following a spell of sustained pressure as hooker Will Spain crossed, Will Hibberdine with the extras.

The hosts regained the lead as No. 8 Josh Robins went over, Sam Perris on target.

Spain and Hibberdine repeated their trick to regain the lead, though.

And a brilliant third Berkshire try followed as Pett-Ridge landed a beautiful 50/22 before a quick line-out saw Roumignac cross for a seven-pointer.

Yet Berkshire were behind at the break as their opponents grabbed two late first-half tries for a 22-21 interval lead.

The decisive moment arrived 10 minutes into the second period as Spain completed his hat-trick following more fine work from the forwards.

Berkshire then soaked up pressure and won a series of valuable turnovers to keep their opponents at bay before pinning Glos in their own 22 to close out the win.

Victory followed their equally dramatic 33-29 success at home to Dorset & Wilts back in February, and ensured top spot in Pool One.

Cornwall, meanwhile, thrashed Devon 46-15 before taking down Somerset 47-35 on Sunday to take the Pool Two honours.

And the two sides will now face off at Redruth on Sunday, May 3 as they look to continue a quest to be national champions.