SLOUGH defeated Abingdon 31-22 away from home to prove they are in the race for third place in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier, writes Ryan Gibbs.

The visitors came out with fighting spirit, desperate to beat a strong Abingdon side.

Colby Short managed to score two tries, with Craig Fullicks, Tom Young and Aman Grewel bagging the others. Max Miles, the Slough number 12, made three conversions to retain the win.

Slough now sit in third place, five points ahead of fourth-placed Didcot with two games remaining in the season.

The Greenies head coach Alan Waters was pleased with his side’s strong performance. He told The Observer: “It was a good performance by us.

“We showed our strength in the set pieces against a decent Abingdon side. We were much better all round.

“The shock of losing the weekend before resounded around training and moved into Saturday as well.

“It’s the first time we’ve won at Abingdon for a while.A couple of years ago was the last time.”

Waters added: “We used to get beat there quite comfortably but we’re a much better side now with a number of good players and a game plan.”

Slough will fight to finish as high as possible and are well in the running for third place.

Walters said: “Obviously we’ve got ourselves a target for next year, so a good finish could attract better players.

“We’ve got a good Swindon side coming so we will set the guys a target and see how they get on.

“Now Swindon have won the league their focus might be different but you just don’t know. Hopefully we will come out with a win.”

Slough will look to end their season on a positive by finishing with as many points as possible. They host Swindon College Old Boys this Saturday (3pm).