RAMS RFC kept their title hopes alive with a home victory over Darlington Mowden Park which keeps them level on points at the summit with Chinnor.
Director of rugby Seb Reynolds felt his side were in control for most of a 28-14 National One victory in which they ‘bored’ hosts Darlington Mowden Park into submission.
Having been beaten 41-36 in a wild contest at Old Bath Road earlier in the season, the visitors produced a much-improved and far more efficient display as they recorded a sixth consecutive bonus-point victory of 2024.
A converted Max Hayman try proved the only points of the first half, and with Fraser Honey adding to the hooker’s second and another from James McRae on 42 and 49 minutes respectively, Rams took control.
DMP gave themselves a lifeline when Callum Pascoe converted a Charlie Smith score, only for the imperious Honey to make it four from four as Axel Kalling-Smith wrapped up the bonus-point.
And while Sam Kyle-Clay grabbed a second for the hosts late on, it was nothing more than a consolation as Rams kept the pressure on table-topping Chinnor.
“It was a very clinical performance, and you have to be against these guys,” said Reynolds.
“(Forwards coach) Owen (Root) and the pack did a fantastic job during the week preparing for the game and understanding what we wanted to do – we needed to bring pressure and make sure they couldn’t hit us with their weapons.
“Sometimes that involves almost trying to bore them into a game they don’t want to play because they’re a quality side, they’ve had fantastic performances recently so it’s a strong result for us.”
The tone was set in a brutal opening 40 minutes where Rams kept their usually free-flowing opponents scoreless. Reynolds continued: “There was lots of physicality, and our defensive structures and discipline were excellent.
“However, you could see how the game could break up because both teams were looking to play on the counter-attack, and it could have got a bit crazy, but I think Fraser, Ed (Hoadley) and the pack made sure we had fantastic field position which helped us get the two tries which really took the game away from them.
“Strangely because we were so good in a lot of parts, I felt you noticed it when we weren’t – sometimes you could see tackle heights creeping up, a bit of ill-discipline at the breakdown could let them back in – but for most of the game we had good control.”
With the forwards laying the foundation for victory, it was Dan Swain who took man-of-the-match honours with a towering display in the second row, but the Head Coach was quick to praise his improving squad.
“Dan had a great game and he’s been so good in the line-out recently, Connor (Stapley) is getting better and better as the caller and carried well, and the whole pack were excellent.
“I always felt things would come together during the season as the group builds cohesion – at some times we conceded a few more points than we’d have liked to, but in terms of the flow of the group, there’s a lot of new faces who’ve come together nicely.
“We want to finish strongly, and the players are doing a good job having a go at that which is reflected in the set-piece and the defence.”
Rams return to action at home to Sale FC on Saturday, March 9.
