BERKSHIRE Under 20s marched into the semi-finals of Division Two of the Jason Leonard County Championship with a comprehensive 41-19 victory against Surrey at Old Bath Road.
Yet things did not start well for the home side, a beautiful tip-pass from Surrey full-back Ben Mackenzie freeing the speedy Corum Nott to race away down the left-hand touchline for a score superbly converted by the creator.
Berkshire replied towards the end of the first quarter, though, with a try combining two Rams – full back Charlie Robson producing a terrific off-load for Adam Porter to cross on an angled run from right to left.
Things got better for the Royal County just before the half-hour mark as a lovely inside ball from another Ram, Henry Lenthall, set-up Bracknell No. 8 Josh Riles to cross, the fourth of the home-ground heroes, Ollie Andrews adding the extras for 12-7.
The fifth of the OBR crew to make a notable contribution was prop Harry Etwell, the loose-head touching down before Andrews slotted the conversion and kicked a penalty with the last play of the first half to send the hosts into the interval with a 22-7 advantage.
Berkshire continued to press home their advantage just two minutes into the second half, and it was the last member of the home brigade who made perhaps the most spectacular impact, captain Spencer Hayhow collecting a pass on the left wing before the hooker sprinted in from some 50 metres out, a David Campese-esque goose-step helping him evade the final potential defender.
With Andrews again adding the extras the score was 29-7, but the away side kept themselves in the hunt when hooker Josh Lovell-Smith provided the finishing touch to a strong rolling maul.
With Mackenzie again on target from the tee there was some hope for the visitors, but that was snuffed out when the electric Robson brilliantly picked up a pass around his ankles before darting over in the left-hand corner.
While the conversion drifted wide, Berkshire again had a 20-point lead, and they added a sixth try late on when replacement George Makepeace-Cubitt grabbed a brilliant try with a searing break which beat a number of potential defenders before he touched down by the posts.
Andrews converted, and while Surrey had the last word when prop Jacob Vatu went over in injury-time, it was too little, too late for the visitors.
Berkshire’s reward for their victory is an Easter Sunday trip to Durham in the semi-final, while in the other tie, Essex clash with Northumberland.
By Richard Ashton
