Crows knew that nothing less than a win and a bonus point would do to keep them in the title hunt.

And Karl Roberts’ young side did not disappoint and delivered a superb performance to remain just two points behind leaders Risborough.

Crows were missing a number of players through unavailability on Saturday but still put in an impressive all-round display to claim the win.

Crowthorne skipper Sam Short won the toss and elected to play with the wind on their backs in the first half.

The decision looked a good once as Crows scored their opening try with less than a minute on the clock when George Watson picked up a loose ball, brushed off three tackles and ran in under the posts from 50 metres out. Tom Wilson added the extras to put Crows 7–0 ahead.

With their nerves steadied, the visitors continued to punch holes in Farnham’s defence and they scored their second try with 23 minutes gone.

A Farnham clearance failed to find touch, allowing Crows to counter attack. The ball went through five sets of hands before it reached outside centre James Huckle who switched on the afterburners to cross under the posts, giving Wilson another simple conversion for a 14–0 lead.

A third try soon followed in controversial circumstances after Crows charged down a clearance by the Farnham full-back.

The hosts were angered by the challenge, but the referee played on and the visitors took advantage when Andy Dawson touched down under the posts, Wilson notching the conversion.

The incident appeared to ruffle Farnham’s feathers and they began leaving spaces out wide.

Crows needed no invitation to exploit them and on the stroke of half time No.8 Alex Tur Kuile notched their bonus-point try when he threw an audacious dummy which confused Farnham’s flat-footed defence, with Wilson adding the extras again for a 28–0 lead at the break.

It was harder going for the visitors after the interval as they played into the wind.

Farnham were also pumped up and determined to claw their way back which they did with a try 10 minutes after the restart.

However, Crows remained a threat and four minutes later man-of-the-match Short crossed for a crucial try.

Farnham responded again with a second try of their own, but Crows quickly nullified their threat by dominating territory and possession from there.

And there was still time left for the powerful Short to burst through two tackles and dab down for his second score of the day and 13th try of the season.

Wilson landed his sixth conversion for a 12-point haul to seal the victory.

It means Crows are two points behind leaders Risborough who picked up a bonus-point win over Didcot to maintain their slender advantage.

Crows will now use the upcoming gap weekend in fixtures to recharge their batteries before their final two matches of the season against Aldermaston and then Faringdon.

Crowthorne’s head coach Roberts beamed: “Farnham Royal is always an uncompromising place to go, but these young Crows showed they are ready to mix it when required.

“With a number of key players away, the game shows how much of this season’s success has been achieved by the strength of the squad and their ability to player for each other.” Crows knew that nothing less than a win and a bonus point would do to keep them in the title hunt.

And Karl Roberts’ young side did not disappoint and delivered a superb performance to remain just two points behind leaders Risborough.

Crows were missing a number of players through unavailability on Saturday but still put in an impressive all-round display to claim the win.

Crowthorne skipper Sam Short won the toss and elected to play with the wind on their backs in the first half.

The decision looked a good once as Crows scored their opening try with less than a minute on the clock when George Watson picked up a loose ball, brushed off three tackles and ran in under the posts from 50 metres out. Tom Wilson added the extras to put Crows 7–0 ahead.

With their nerves steadied, the visitors continued to punch holes in Farnham’s defence and they scored their second try with 23 minutes gone.

A Farnham clearance failed to find touch, allowing Crows to counter attack. The ball went through five sets of hands before it reached outside centre James Huckle who switched on the afterburners to cross under the posts, giving Wilson another simple conversion for a 14–0 lead.

A third try soon followed in controversial circumstances after Crows charged down a clearance by the Farnham full-back.

The hosts were angered by the challenge, but the referee played on and the visitors took advantage when Andy Dawson touched down under the posts, Wilson notching the conversion.

The incident appeared to ruffle Farnham’s feathers and they began leaving spaces out wide.

Crows needed no invitation to exploit them and on the stroke of half time No.8 Alex Tur Kuile notched their bonus-point try when he threw an audacious dummy which confused Farnham’s flat-footed defence, with Wilson adding the extras again for a 28–0 lead at the break.

It was harder going for the visitors after the interval as they played into the wind.

Farnham were also pumped up and determined to claw their way back which they did with a try 10 minutes after the restart.

However, Crows remained a threat and four minutes later man-of-the-match Short crossed for a crucial try.

Farnham responded again with a second try of their own, but Crows quickly nullified their threat by dominating territory and possession from there.

And there was still time left for the powerful Short to burst through two tackles and dab down for his second score of the day and 13th try of the season.

Wilson landed his sixth conversion for a 12-point haul to seal the victory.

It means Crows are two points behind leaders Risborough who picked up a bonus-point win over Didcot to maintain their slender advantage.

Crows will now use the upcoming gap weekend in fixtures to recharge their batteries before their final two matches of the season against Aldermaston and then Faringdon.

Crowthorne’s head coach Roberts beamed: “Farnham Royal is always an uncompromising place to go, but these young Crows showed they are ready to mix it when required.

“With a number of key players away, the game shows how much of this season’s success has been achieved by the strength of the squad and their ability to player for each other.”