Rams pack for clinical

A FLURRY of late tries for the Rams kept up their scintillating run of form.

They started the day just one place above Canterbury, and coach Owen Root was understandably delighted with the win on a frost-covered pitch.

“We did a good job shutting down their attack and credit must go to Danny Batty and the defensive work he’s doing,” he said.

“It was our best away win as a club.

“This was a clinical and ruthless performance that we’re very proud of as this is a really tough place to come and Canterbury play some fantastic rugby.”

Rams captain Robbie Stapley was their man of the match, with the pack as dominant as ever, which was acknowledged by Canterbury coach Andy Pratt.

He said: “They were outstanding in the last quarter, though we had issues with how the referee interpreted things. They’ve one of the best packs in the league, so it was always going to be tough for us.”

The game was marred by an injury to Greg Illingworth, of Redingensians, who had to come off in the early stages. It looked to be something that would keep him out for a lengthy period.

Rams enjoyed a dream start as Steve Bryant broke and popped the ball off to Ellis Jones, who had acres of space to run in the first points of the afternoon.

They dominated but were unable to capitalise on their opportunities.

And they were left ruing their missed chances as Canterbury really began to make an impact, ending in a penalty kicked by Oliver Best.

The Reading men replied almost immediately as Josh Sunley ran the ball into the corner, but his foot had gone into touch.