MATT Goode hailed Oxfordshire’s never-say-die attitude as they clinched the Bill Beaumont County Championship Division 3 title in thrilling fashion.

Opponents Berkshire were leading 5-0 in the closing stages of the final at Richmond Athletic Ground, only for Antony Marris to dive under the posts with three minutes left.

Banbury Bulls fly-half James Miller held his nerve to kick the winning conversion and seal a 7-5 triumph.

It could barely have been more dramatic as Oxfordshire clinched their second County Championship crown, five years after their first – when Goode was a player.

They won the 2017 final against Sussex by virtue of scoring more tries and the head coach paid tribute to his players after another nail-biting afternoon.

He said: “We couldn’t have wished for a tighter game, it could have gone either way and I bet they (Berkshire) are absolutely gutted.

“To score with only three minutes to go was amazing.

“It was end to end the whole game, but as it went on I thought we were the better side. Our defence and tenacity won it.”

Berkshire went ahead before the break through an unconverted try, but Marris – who plays for Sonning-based Rams and was facing several teammates – forced his way over with moments remaining.

Miller added the extras and Oxfordshire held on to spark wild celebrations.

Goode said: “To have a winner’s medal as a player and a coach is unbelievable.

“For me, it’s all about making sure the boys perform.

“We brought a group of boys together who fought for every last inch of grass. That was the extra ingredient.

“To have the winner’s medal is the icing on the cake.”

With the Division 1 and 2 finals taking place at Twickenham, Oxfordshire were denied the chance to play at the home of English rugby.

They received the trophy at the national stadium, though, and Goode toasted an unforgettable moment.

He said: “I felt bad for the boys not to play there, but that didn’t stop us.

“To lift the trophy at Twickenham made it that little bit more special.”