PROLIFIC Declan Grobbelaar’s late double helped push the Colts into the last 16 of the National Cup with a battling 27-12 victory at Tring.
On a difficult day in which an accident on the M25 left many of the squad arriving late, the hosts kindly agreed to push kick-off back by 40 minutes but proved far more stubborn on the pitch.
Rams made a perfect start inside the opening two minutes, a monstrous 20-metre maul stopped just short of the line before Jack Mander spotted a gap to dive over from the base of the breakdown.
Matt Cox pushed his kick to the right of the posts, and Tring shared notice of their abilities by going down the other end and crossing following a spell of sustained pressure – Will Orris powering over from close range before Sean Dover added the extras for 7-5.
Yet the visitors responded this time, and once again the unstoppable maul proved two strong, Rams patiently riding it all the way over the line this time for hooker Ant Jessett to dot down.
Cox landed the conversion and his side began to take control of possession and territory.
Yet they were far from their best, the handling and decision-making far from its usual levels, and an interception led Tring to levelling proceedings with Alex Cable the man to cross the whitewash despite a stunning cover tackle from Josh Gouws a couple of phases before.
With the score 12-12 at half-time, Rams continued to make mistakes as the line-out started to wobble, but an increase in energy in defence plus a Cox penalty put them back in front and settled any nerves.
And as the contest went on they began to hit their stride, the introduction of Obi Nwachuku providing a few strong carries and getting his side on the front foot along with the likes of Jayden Benham, Mander and Cian Tappan.
This in turn created space for the three-quarters, and a flowing move involving Cox, Luke Thorpe and Jordan Navetta eventually sent Grobbelaar hurtling down the left from 50 metres for a brilliant score.
Cox slotted the extras from in front of the posts before another fine and strong Grobbelaar finish effectively put the game to bed with five minutes remaining.
Rams will travel to Rosslyn Park for a place in the quarter-finals on Sunday, January 19.
