Power of Rams’ scrum is crucialto victory

BARNSTAPLE claimed two late bonus points but were well beaten by Redingensians.

The visiting Rams dominated at the scrum, with the power of their packearning three of their six tries.

They went ahead against the run of play, with Gwyn Parks kicking a penalty and converting Luke Berry’s close-range try.

Steve Bryant crossed wide on the right for Redingensians, but the ten-point lead was restored when Jarrard Hayler broke from a scrum that was going backwards and Winston James put Jordan Petherbridge over.

Three scores, inspired by the Rams’ set-piece superiority, turned the game – a penalty try, Connor Stapley racing over from 25 metres and Jordan Souter dummying his way through after Barnstaple had lost the ball.

It was 24-24 by the hour, with Will Topps stepping in from the right wing to score under the posts.

But Colin Thompson wrestled the ball over for Redingensians’ fifth try, then James Foxley added an easy sixth after a kickthrough.

Barnstaple were awarded a penalty on their own line in the 80th minute and knew they had to run the length of the field to get anything from the game.

And, over the next five minutes, they managed it.

Scrum-half Petherbridge added the finishing touch and then drop-kicked the conversion to ensure two losing bonus points.