The Crows enjoyed a brilliant first half of the season as they picked up nine wins and suffered just three defeats, earning 12 bonus points in the process to give them an overall haul of 48 points.

The Cricket Field Grove side are also the top scorers in the division, having amassed a huge 392 points.

They sit one point clear of Risborough, having thrashed the Buckinghamshire side 45-19 in mid-December to gain a measure of revenge for a 15-5 defeat away from home earlier in the season.

The only other side which appears to have a realistic chance of winning the division is Didcot, who have also won nine of their 12 games and sit seven points behind Crows on 41.

And Roberts said: “With nine matches left to play if the squad can stay clear of injuries and maintain the consistency already shown then promotion is a strong possibility for us.” He added that a win is essential at rock bottom Faringdon this Saturday, with the basement boys having picked up just one victory all season.

However the Oxfordshire side did push the Crows all the way when the sides met earlier in the season, with their powerful pack impressing in a 36-23 defeat.

Speaking to The News, Roberts admitted that off-field concerns mean the club’s aim to build up a junior section have had to be put on hold.

He revealed: “The club is in advance discussions with the West London Mental Health Trust to secure the new facilities on the trust land as the present Cricket Field Grove site is for development as part of the new Broadmoor Hospital facilities re-build.

“With the possibility that the Crows and Thorns (Crowthorne Ladies) will be nomadic for the 2015/16 season, we have had to put out aim of developing a youth section to the club on temporary hold - although if there are any budding junior rugby coaches or interested dads out there that would like to get involved in junior rugby in the Crowthorne area please get in contact with the club committee via the club web site.” The Thorns return to friendly action this Sunday when they welcome Newbury Blues to Cricket Field Grove (2.15pm ko).

The Ladies were beaten 32-5 by their opponents in an away fixture back in October, but have since played some scintillating rugby by thrashing Witney 38-12 and then annihilating Lewes 73-0.

The Thorns hope to play league rugby next season.