A game that was dominated in the first half by the brawn of the old boys side re-assembled by coach Tony Jell scored first through the boot of Adam Reading, before second row Damien Evens crossed the line for the first try after a powerful driving maul.

With the conversion added, the Crows – runners-up in the BB&O Championship this season – were in the strange position of trailing, but they soon got into the game courtesy of a try from prop Ade Lovejoy.

A second old boys try came through prop Dan Harvey, but some determined running and lengthy ball retention allowed Crows to draw level.

And the Cricket Field Grove side nipped ahead before the break thanks to tries from No. 8 Alex Ter Kuile, Andy Dawson and flying back Dan Stanton.

However, the old boys came out of the blocks firing at the start of the second half and their pick and go game allowed veteran prop Pete Green to score in the fixture for the second time in two years.

With the crowd sensing a slight upset, the Crows set about their task of moving the ball quickly from the break down to get it away from the powerful old boys pack.

This resulted in inventive tries for Tom Wilson, Greg Redpath, a second for Ter Kuile and a James Huckle brace.

However, the old boys were not to be outdone, and ended the contest with a flourish.

With the final play of the game they fashioned a break wide down the right, with the ball eventually falling in to the hands of wing Ben Mackie for a consolation and popular five-pointer.

Old Boys Squad: Tony Jell (Coach), Joe Kierin, Pete Green, Colin Whitaker, Matt Stinchcomb, Ben Mackie, Jimmy Noak, Dean Gilbert, Gareth Lewis, Reece Lewis, Adam Reading, James Smith, Alex Stewart, Josh Roberts, Andy Waklin, Damien Evans, David Rosi, Chris James.

Crowthorne Squad: Karl Roberts (Coach), Sam Short, James Jarvis, Brad Mills, Mike Stepney, Dan Stanton, Greg Redpath, James Huckle, Alex Ter Kuile, John Pellet, James Delacki, Ade Lovejoy, Mark Russell, George Watson, Tony Hincy, Pete Turner, Andy Dawson, Jake Lovelock, Steve Nee-Turner, Sean Lea.

After the game, the end-of-season awards were handed out, with the Most Improved Player for Crowthorne Ladies – the Thorns – going to Juliane Vopel, while the award went to lock Sean Lea for the men’s side.

Clubman of the year was Dan Stanton for the Crows and Jess Irvine for the Thorns.

The prestigious Players’ Player award for the Thorns was split between Thorns pair Leanne Parker and Holy Bentley, while Tom Wilson rounded off a fantastic debut season as the Crows Players’ Player.

Crowthorne are expecting to play in the BB&O Premier next season although this is yet to be confirmed, while the Thorns are still awaiting a decision on which league they will play in.

Training continues through the summer on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings with the focus on sevens and touch rugby.

For more details, visit the club’s website - www.pitchero.com/clubs/broadmoorrfc