Following a fourth losing bonus-point defeat in seven matches, Rams Director of Rugby Seb Reynolds rued another missed opportunity after Sale FC secured an 18-12 National One victory at Old Bath Road on Saturday.
A typically attritional affair between the two sides saw The Dogs 8-0 up at the break thanks to a Mark Dixon try and Joe Green penalty, the latter adding another early in the second period.
Andrew Lamb converted an Oli Rhoads effort having provided the assist with a pin-point cross-field kick, but the visitors responded swiftly with an Evan Mintern try.
Green was on target for 18-7, and despite Mikey Duda making it a one-score game with 11 minutes remaining, Rams were unable to complete the comeback.
Reynolds admitted: “It was a very good game and Sale probably just about deserved the victory, but I can’t help but feel we could have won.
“They went in ahead, but coming down towards the Clubhouse in the second half I felt we had every opportunity to win the game – and as a group we just need to learn how to get it done.
“We’ve had some sublime wins this season playing all-action, but this was different, a bit of a chess match.
“We asked the guys to play in a different (more territorial) way and I thought they did a great job against a very good side.
“Ironically in the end we probably needed to break out from the conservative approach and try and put more pressure on them, but it didn’t quite happen.
“We scored the second try, then gave away two penalties which brings the energy down and we couldn’t quite get it back.”
Aside from a 34-15 reverse against new leaders Plymouth Albion, Rams have been right in the contest heading into the final quarter against Bishop’s Stortford (36-29), Rotherham Titans (35-31), Dings Crusaders (31-25) and now Sale, only to fall on the wrong side of the winning line.
And the DoR continued: “We can only call this a game we learn from if the guys show they have in the weeks to come – we can’t keep drumming on about it.
“We’ve had a few like this now and it’s about feeling the momentum, the dominance you have and being more clinical and managing the game.
“When you score a try you give up 50 metres for the restart, you’ll then be in your own 22 and from there you need to work out how to get back down the pitch.”
Despite defeat there were plenty of plus points for the hosts, scrum-half Ollie Hodgson, try-scorer Rhoads and debutant George Tomlinson among the young guns who showed up well against a side containing plenty of current or former Premiership talent.
The head coach confirmed he will continue to trust in youth and said: “The way we wanted to play, if I’m being honest, Ed Hoadley is the best at it (at scrum-half) – but we need to challenge the youngsters to show what they’ve got.
“Ed is helping the other No. 9s so much and he’s instrumental in their development.
“George has definitely got something about him, and we’ve always felt that.
“The game comes to him, but he’s still got lots to learn – he makes the stunning break and probably should have sent Zach (Clow) or Rhoadsy under the posts, but the most important thing was he made the break in the first place.
“And Oli is really developing. He takes the high ball so well, but his contact skills are also coming on and he’s becoming more aggressive when challenging the line.
“He’s a big lad doing a fantastic job.”
Rams travel to Tonbridge Juddians on Saturday (2pm).
