A POWERFUL RAMS display ensured they picked up a fantastic ninth consecutive National One bonus-point victory with a hard-fought 36-10 triumph at Leeds Tykes.
The visitors showed their strength from the start, a powerful rolling maul rumbling some 20 metres towards the line before a couple of scrum penalties preceded Drew Humberstone crashing over from close range.
Things got even better for Rams as more patient play ended with Max Hayman bulldozing across the line, Alex Seers with the conversion for 12-0.
However, Leeds hit back and got on the scoreboard thanks to Seramaia Turagabeci’s effort, and they then camped inside the visitors’ 22 for much of the second quarter.
Yet Rams made a decisive move on the stroke of half-time, two huge breaks from James McRae taking them from their own five-metre line up towards the Leeds line.
And with the final play of the half, Hayman grabbed his second to make it 17-5.
The away side suffered a setback early in the second period as Michael Dykes was yellow carded for a late tackle when chasing down his own kick, but with their pack increasingly getting on top, RAMS nullified the damage by spending most of the 10 minutes in Leeds’ territory.
And towards the end of the sin-bin period, they sealed the bonus-point when a couple more dominant scrums set-up Ellis Jones to blast over from a couple of metres out.
With Alex Seers off injured, Humberstone added the extras before another huge scrum enabled McRae to touch down at the base.
Dykes became the third player to have a shot at goal, and he was also on target to extend the advantage to 31-5.
Yet Leeds were still putting in an all-action effort, and they collected a second of the afternoon as impressive full-back Kieran Davies made a line break to allow Turagabeci to touch down on the right.
Rams replied swiftly, though, and a nice break from Ollie Cole created space for Charlie Robson to show his power for his fifth try of the season.
Jones then took over conversion duties, but his effort struck the left post.
And again Leeds refused to yield, camping in the visitors’ 22 for the final five minutes and earning a string of penalties.
But Rams were keen to avoid their line being breached, and thanks to a Cole turnover, successfully held out to end a run of six matches in which they had conceded the final points of the afternoon.
Director of Rugby, Reynolds said: “Leeds had been scrummaging really well, which meant our guys were highly motivated at the set-piece – I think I might have upset Ant before the game – but the pack really came out and put them on the back foot. A huge shout-out to all those in the front five
and Owen (Root, forwards coach).
“It’s something we’ve not really had in the last few weeks – we’ve had dominance in patches – but it gave us a really strong platform.
“If No. 8 is able to walk the ball over the line – albeit he’s got to control it – and just put his palm on it, it’s not because of what he’s done but the guys in front have.”
By Richard Ashton
