Crows coach Karl Roberts was seeking a big response to the previous week’s surprise defeat to Berkshire Shire Hall.

And Roberts got what he was looking for as his young Crows side produced a sizzling performance at Cricket Field Grove to knock Risborough off top spot.

Crows’ intentions were brutally clear from the very first whistle and they scored their first try of the afternoon in only the second minute.

From the kick, the hosts worked their way up the pitch before captain Sam Short crossed the whitewash allowing full-back Tom Wilson a simple conversion and a 7-0 lead.

A second Crows try soon followed when flanker Jake Lovelock picked up a loose ball on the half way line, broke two tackles and raced home to score out wide. Wilson notched an excellent touchline conversions to put the hosts 14-0 up.

That was Risborough’s cue to fight back and they reduced the defecit with a converted try of their own.

But it was as close as they would come in terms of the scoreline as Crows had the final say of the first half when they notched their third try.

It came when No.8 Alex Ter Kuile peeled off a driving maul from a lineout and barged his way over the line. Wilson added the extras again to extend Crows’ lead to 21-7 at the interval.

Roberts tinkered with his team at the break, with fly-half Brad Mills switching to inside centre and Mike Stepney moving in the other direction.

Even so, Crows continued to dominate and unsettle the visitors who turned over regular ball while under pressure.

They were rewarded for their efforts with four further second-half tries to secure the bonus point victory.

Lovelock went over for his second score of the game followed by a brace of opportunity tries from the prolific Dougie Charman.

All that was left was for Wilson to cap a fine performance with a try of his own to leave him with a 15-point haul.

It was Crowthorne’s first win over Risborough in three attempts and it could be a crucial victory in the race for promotion.

The award for Crows’ forward of the game went to James Delacki who anchored the scrum from tight head.

Stepney claimed the prize for the backs for marshalling the team well and for his astute field kicking.

Crows will look to extend their lead at the top today when they host struggling Aldermaston at Cricket Field Grove for the final game of 2014 (2:15pm ko).

Refreshments are available from the clubhouse and all visitors are welcome.