Seb praises battling Rams
Old Redcliffians 21 Rams 38
SEB REYNOLDS was full of praise for his Rams side after they overcame difficult conditions to run in five tries to defeat Old Reds.
Alex Seers was impressive with the boot in wet and windy weather in Bristol to also keep the scoreboard ticking along while a powerful pack continually helped force the ball across the whitewash.
Now with eight wins from nine, Rams remain four points clear at the top of the table with the likes of Taunton and Henley hot on their heels.
“It was a good performance, as this is such a tough place to play rugby and it doesn’t ever seem to be dry here,” said head coach Reynolds.
“You have to manage the slope down into both corners, as well as the wind against the clubhouse. Also then you have to deal with a team who knows how to play good, hard rugby.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for what they do and it’s credit to them that we’re so pleased with the win, because they’re a good side at home.”
Rams dominated the early stages at Scotland Lane, taking the lead inside 10 minutes through a penalty try.
But the home side bounced back quickly, getting down the line and pouncing on a Seers mistake to level.
Unfazed by the setback, Rams got back on the front foot and scored twice more in quick succession in similar fashion, going through the phases and forcing the ball over the line.
Having fallen behind, Old Reds were dealt a further blow when Craig McGrath was shown a yellow card. They responded well to the setback to impress in the spell before half-time, but could not reduce the 21-7 deficit.
After a quiet start to the second half, Rams patiently gained ground to add another try.
Henry Bird reduced the arrears, breaking through and side-stepping Conor Corrigan to score, but any hopes of a comeback were quashed with a powerful drive to the line finished off by Jack Steadman.
Ed Boxall then scored for the hosts, but it proved to be mere consolation with Seers kicking over an extra three points to secure another resounding win.
Rams host mid-table Dings Crusaders on Saturday (2pm).
RAMS: Duffelen, Rossiter, Bryant, Humberstone, Corrigan, Seers, Illingworth, Kidd, Henderson, McDonnell-Roberts, Taylor (c), Etete, Amor, Page, Guttridge.
Reps: Steadman, Baker, Vooght, Richardson, Lloyd.