Rams right at home in club opener
A come-from-behind Upper Hutt Rams’ win was the feature result in Saturday’s Gala Day opening of Swindale Shield club rugby.
In the end the Rams made light of a 17-point deficit to beat Hutt Old Boys-Marist, 33-23, at Awakairangi Park.
After a sloppy first quarter where they gave up three tries, the Rams rattled up 30 points to a solitary reply penalty.
A quick thinking last try to Eli Hunt delivered a valuable bonus point and a 10-point margin of safety at the 70 minute mark as the Rams rolled on to victory.
While satisfied with the result, the Rams will want to put their horror start behind them when they meet Wellington at Maidstone Park on Saturday.
Coach Adam Campbell said his charges panicked early and paid the price.
‘‘It was a state of mind thing, mostly. We gave away silly penalties and were quickly chasing the game.’’
Sin-binnings of Mitchell Markov and Sam Wasley meant they played 20 minutes with a loose forward down but, as a collective, they did settle.
Three Joyner Key penalties kept the side in touch ahead of a valuable five-pointer to Josh Hunt on halftime for a 20-14 scoreline.
The second half was then all Rams, a three-try 19-3 dismembering of their increasingly fragile opponents.
Markov, who already looks at his direct and powerful best, crossed first after judicious play from Hayden Schrijvers while Aidan Woodward both featured and finished as the Rams’ forwards swept up the sideline and muscled over.
Eli Hunt’s effort, worked off a lineout with an on-debut Leith Mackey, brought a finish to the scoring ahead of a final 10 minutes of solid defence and good decision making.
Markov, Woodward, and Apa Heemi had strong mobile games in the Rams’ forwards while Schrijvers was busy and creative at halfback and Konello Feaunati shaped as a handy and physical midfield presence.
The game also marked the return of Nua Fono-Hunt, Calem Sua and Wasley at first-five, prop and number eight respectively after injuries meant that did not play in 2016.
The trio all started and made important contributions in what was, that beginning aside, a strong start to a new year of Rams’ rugby.