THREE former Rams juniors started for South West Under 20s as they lost 46-43 to Midlands in an epic encounter.

Prop Ollie Ireland, scrum-half Louis Roumignac and full-back Theo Pett-Ridge all impressed at Broadstreet RFC.

They were joined by fellow Berkshire aces Will Spain (Newbury), who started at hooker, and fly-half Will Hibberdine (Maidenhead).

Reading’s Ollie Brooks was on the bench.

South West fell 12-0 down early on before Gloucestershire No. 8 Josh Robbins dotted down.

And the scores were level when Hibberdine added to a try from Cornwall second row Dan Kent.

Hibberdine then crossed the whitewash to nudge his side in front before the break.

The hosts equalised early in the second period before Robbins grabbed a second, Hibberdine landing for 24-17.

And things got better when another Cornishman, Oli Roberts, extended the lead to 12.

Yet two converted tries in three minutes had Midlands 31-29 up at the end of the third quarter.

A penalty followed, but South West bit back with tries in the 67th and 68th minutes.

Kent got the first before Pett-Ridge produced a brilliant solo effort to run in from halfway, throwing a dummy before showing his strength to touchdown.

Replacement Brooks was on target twice for 43-34, but Midlands grabbed their sixth try with six minutes remaining.

And they snatched victory at the death with a converted effort to leave South West agonisingly short.