Rams stay on top
Barnes 19 Rams 26
TWO SECOND-HALF penalty tries saw Rams edge past Barnes to stay top of the table.
The game was level at the break in heavy London rain with James Baker and Jak Rossiter crossing the whitewash for Rams.
And the visitors’ forwards made the difference late on, winning two penalty tries as Rams picked up a 26-19 victory.
“I was pleased with the way we played for parts of the first half,” said head coach Seb Reynolds.
“We had discussed how we were going to play in these sorts of conditions, because we knew the rain was due and to a large extent the boys executed that.
“In the second half we were quite dominant. We had to play field position against a lively Barnes team, who were really battling hard, so I give a lot of credit to them for staying in the game.
“But overall it’s great to come away with a bonus point win and I’m very happy with the effort put in by the lads.”
Barnes began the quicker of the two sides, putting points on the board after just two minutes, driving to the try-line after a line-out.
But after resisting further pressure, Rams responded with a similar score of their own through Baker.
The topsy-turvy contest then went back in Barnes’ favour as they fell just short of grabbing a second try after a quick tap-and-go.
Rams were stuck in their own half until Alex Seers kicked some respite. And with the shift in momentum, Reynolds’ men got in front when Andrew Humberstone burst through the defence before teeing up Rossiter to score.
But back came the hosts to level up at 12-12 by the break.
The second half started slowly before the scorer was troubled again on the hour mark as Rams’ superior fitness came into play as they were awarded a penalty try following a hard-fought drive.
A second penalty try soon followed and while Barnes scored again late on themselves, the visitors ran out victorious.
Table-topping Rams host Guernsey Raiders on Saturday (2.30pm).
RAMS: Duffelen, Rossiter, Bryant, Humberstone, Hassell-Collins, Seers, Cole, Kidd, Henderson, Baker, Taylor, Everton, Collis, Vooght, Crame.
Reps: Whitson, McDonnell-Roberts, Page, Jones, Lloyd.