BERKSHIRE Under 20s started their Jason Leonard County Championship campaign with a bang as they blitzed visitors Hampshire 43-7 at Old Bath Road.
The hosts made a brilliant start as they took the lead inside five minutes, a perfectly crafted rolling maul crossing the whitewash from a five-metre line-out, skipper Spencer Hayhow the man to touch down.
The Rams hooker doubled his tally shortly afterwards as Berkshire again made their way into Hampshire territory, some patient build-up ending with Hayhow finding a gap to cross on the right-hand side.
The former Pangbourne College student then completed an incredible hat-trick as he grabbed his side’s third try from close range, pushing Berkshire into a 15-0 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
And he then made it four as the rolling maul again got to work, Reading University fly-half Matt Smith finding his range from the tee to add the extras.
It was another University man, Exeter’s Josh Norman, who collected his side’s fifth at the end of a nice move, and with Smith again on target with the conversion, Berkshire led 29-0 at the interval.
With props Harry Etwell and Toby Dann-Muirhead, representing Rams and Maidenhead respectively, helping boss the scrum, the hosts enjoyed solid ball and they extended their advantage early in the second period.
On this occasion, however, it was a first try for the backs, as Reading University’s Finn Matthews produced a beautiful run to beat a couple of defenders and cross on the right.
Smith was again on target to make it 36-0, but Hampshire kept battling away and prevented any further score for most of the second period.
Full-back Matthews had a second try disallowed for a foot in touch, but the Royal county were not to be denied a seventh as replacement Charlie Robson – who has scored two tries in three National One appearances for Rams – collected an Etwell pass before darting in on the left wing, Smith slotting the conversion for 43-0.
The visitors picked up a deserved consolation for their efforts late on, though, as a nice arcing run from full-back Matt Barrett created the space for left wing Harry Clarke to cross the whitewash.
Harry Rabjohn bisected the uprights with the conversion, but it was Berkshire who take command of the group ahead of the return fixture later this month.
Berkshire:
15 – Finn Matthews (University of Reading)
14 – Adam Porter (Rams)
13 – Henry Lenthall (Rams)
12 – Ollie Andrews (Rams)
11 – Markus Lampkin (Rams)
10 – Matt Smith (University of Reading)
9 – Sol Robinson (Abbey)
1 – Harry Etwell (Rams)
2 – Spencer Hayhow (Rams, c)
3 – Toby Dann-Muirfield (Maidenhead)
4 – Callum Cooper (Ealing Trailfinders Academy)
5 – Jack Hoskin (University of Reading)
6 – Josh Norman (University of Exeter)
7 – Roan Noone (Rams)
8 – Lewis Schael (University of Reading)
Replacements: Frankie Austin, Robert De Allie (both University of Reading), Rory Howlett (Bournemouth University), Paul Studd (Bracknell), Ben Bolwell (University of Reading), Jacob Watkins, Charlie Robson (both Rams)
Travelling reserves: Alex Jaffray (Abbey), Tom Cook (Rams)
Report by Richard Ashton
