REDINGENSIANS strengthened their grip on third in the table with a hard-fought 21-14 win over Canterbury at Old Bath Road.
A quiet first half was level until the 10th minute when the visitors broke the deadlock through Aiden Moss as he went over in the corner.
Rams’ only scores of the first 40 came through the boot of Adrian Jarvis, successfully kicking over two penalties.
But the hosts improved after the restart with Jarvis kicking over a third penalty before Ben Henderson crashed over for his side’s first try shortly after Canterbury had been reduced to 14 men.
Rams continued to attack with Jarvis kicking his side 16-7 ahead but JJ Murray reduced the arrears for the visitors approaching the final few minutes before a Tom Vooght try secured the 21-14 victory.
“Both sides had clear intent to move the ball around,” said Rams head coach Seb Reynolds.
“But I think we were guilty of missing opportunities in the first half, but I was really pleased with the way we built pressure and were patient when it didn’t quite come off.
“In the second half most of the game was played in Canterbury’s half. Canterbury are a really dangerous side as we know from earlier on in the season, but twice this year we’ve done a really good job of shutting down their dangerous runners.”
Rams are now seven points clear in third with just two games to play, starting away at Clifton on Saturday (2.30pm).
RAMS: Duffelen, Rossiter, Bryant, Souter, Corrigan, Jarvis, Booth, Weller, Henderson, Baker, Taylor, Thomson, C. Stapley, Vooght, Allen. Reps: Drew, Kidd, Collis, Richardson, Amor.
Tries: Henderson (50), Vooght (80)
Con: Jarvis (50)
Pens: Jarvis x3 (29,43,67)
Referee: Joe James
Attendance: 232
