Karl Roberts’ side looked destined to lose at home for the first time this season, but a dramatic finale saw them fight back for a memorable triumph.

And the head coach was delighted with his team’s efforts, telling the News: “That is a win which means more than a big score win because we’ve normally been ahead this season, but this one we’ve had to come from behind and the guys had to work it out for themselves on the pitch.

“If we can turn a game like that around then the players know they’ve got the skills, character and belief to do it in the future. They can draw on that going forward.

“It was a team performance and everyone was working hard for each other and changing the things which weren’t right. It was a great win.” The Crows made a promising start at Cricket Field Grove, with impressive full back Tom Wilson going over for a score early on. However the visitors possessed an experienced and physical pack, and began to turn the screw at the scrum.

Harwell took the lead as a period of sustained pressure resulted in No. 8 Ryan Hodnett crashing over from the back of a five metre scrum, and the same player then crossed the whitewash again to put his side 12-5 ahead.

The Crows hit back at the end of the first half, though, with a slick move from the three quarters ending with Wilson crossing for a fine try in the left-hand corner.

Yet disaster struck for the hosts early in the second half, with Andy Lee charging down an attempted clearance before touching down.

Two further penalties from wing Mike Phillips pushed the Oxfordshire side into a 25-10 lead, before their lack of replacements – they had only one – and fitness came back to haunt them as Crowthorne found some inspiration.

Firstly captain Sam Short crashed over from outside centre to cut the gap, and after Wilson converted, he completed a brilliant hat-trick by again going over in the left hand corner for a fabulous try.

With the hosts’ supporters in full voice, the comeback was completed in spectacular fashion as replacement fly-half Jay Gibson threw a beautiful mis-pass to wing James Huckle, and his fine step inside allowed him to scorch in under the posts.

Wilson added the conversion to make the score 29-25, and although Harwell tried to comeback, the Crows held on for a vital success.

Speaking after the game, Roberts admitted his relief, confessing: “It was frustrating because we weren’t playing to our game plan and we were getting suckered into their’s of picking and going.

“All the work the guys are doing at training is doing the basics well, and up until the last 10 minutes we hadn’t. We hadn’t executed, we’d got into positions where we could have got a score and then the ball was knocked forward. But then we had three opportunities and got three tries.” The coach singled out second row Sean Lea for his contribution, with the lock’s powerful carrying allowing Crows to get on the front foot.

The win takes Crowthorne six points clear of nearest rivals Risborough who have a game in hand.

Roberts added: “We’ve got our noses ahead (of Risborough) because we’ve got the points on the board. It’s been a fantastic season. We’ve had a bit of luck but that comes from the hard work the boys are putting in.

“We’ve got a young bunch of lads but they’re beginning to get belief in what they do and playing the way we want to play.

“They want to play running rugby and they can do it naturally. They’ve got the skills and the ability to run in some great tries.” Crowthorne visit Didcot on Saturday (2.15pm) For lots more pictures from the game, buy a copy of the Bracknell News.