First, another convincing win for the Ladies against an admirable Ashford side, and then one of the most impressive victories we have seen in modern times from the Raiders, who did not allow an early nine-point deficit to quality Westcombe worry them, and hit back to win 25-16.

It really was impressive stuff from the lads, in particular, who seem to have fully put behind them the autumnal wobble and are now one of the division’s form sides.

By half time a Ned Brown try, converted by skipper-of-the-day Owen Thomas, had reduced the deficit to 7-9, but even by then Raiders were in command and they maintained that dominance after the interval to pull away with tries from Thomas and replacement Jason Batiste, plus some good kicking from Thomas who also nailed a penalty and a drop-goal.

They dominated both possession and territory for most of the first half with a trademark catch-and-drive from the pack that marched them deep into the Westcombe 22 putting them firmly on the front foot which is where they would stay until the interval. In charge of it all - and impressively so - was female referee Nikki O’Donnell, who has officiated in England under-20 internationals.

And while she had the whistle to command things, Owen Thomas relied on his brilliant all-round game and vision to pull the strings.

Raiders piled on the pressure and eventually the Westcombe Park defensive line cracked.
Thomas edged his side ahead with a straightforward penalty in the first minute of the second half and he then added his own converted try. Replacement Luke Sayer then burst through the opposition’s defensive line to set up Thomas for a sweet drop goal that put the home side in great shape with 20minutes left.

Luke Jones and Sayer then combined to create the third try for Jason Batiste before Westcombe Park scored a 79th-minute consolation try through scrum-half Charles Edwards.

The win keeps Raiders close on the heels of fifth-placed Shelford who also won on Saturday and are visitors to Footes Lane next Saturday.

Team:
Sam Steventon, Tom Ceillam, Layton Batiste, Nick Merrien, Matt Thomas, Dale Martin, Romain Mercadal, Dan Hill; Adam Nixon, Owen Thomas, Sam Whitehead, Ned Brown, Luke Jones, Dave Davison, Kenny Hellier.

Replacements:
Luke Skovronek, Luke Sayer and Jason Batiste.