CROWTHORNE RFC ended the year on a high with a 22-19 home win over title-chasing Wheatley.

It was Crows’ third successive victory in Berks, Bucks & Oxon Championship and it also ended Wheatley’s unbeaten run in the league.

Crows, who moved up to seventh in the table as a result, started the day as the underdogs against the division’s highest scoring team.

But history suggested they would be a real match for the visitors after the sides drew 22-22 in Oxfordshire in September.

Wheatley realised they were not going to have it all their own way when Crows scored a try in the fourth minute to take the lead.

It came when left wing Phil Derbyshire rounded the visiting defence before a great inside pass sent Brad Mills over in the corner.

Wheatley, though, hit back immediately and looked to be in control when they ran in two quick tries.

However, Crows were not about the throw in the towel and they regained the lead on 25 minutes when a set play allowed Mills to slice through Wheatley’s defence and score under the posts for his second touchdown of the match.

Jason Gibson slotted the conversion to tie the game 12-12, but Wheatley grabbed their third try of the game on the stroke of half-time to go in 19-12 in front.

Crows, though, were soon back on level terms five minutes after the break thanks to another well-worked try.

Quick ball from a ruck saw substitute Shaun Franklin catch the ball off his boot laces before crossing the whitewash.

Franklin also landed the extras as Crows levelled the scores again at 19-19.

The remaining 35 minutes was a tight and tense affair as both sides looked to stamp their authority on the match.

Crows failed to take advantage when Wheatley’s scrum-half was yellow carded, though Roberts’ men also defended resolutely to snuff out a number of attacks.

And Crows’ patience paid off in the closing stages when Wheatley conceded a penalty in front of the posts and Franklin split the uprights to kick the hosts to victory.

Crows return to league action on Saturday, January 4 when they travel to struggling Winslow looking for a fourth straight victory.