SEB Reynolds believes his players will become better for their chastening 60-26 National One defeat at Plymouth Albion.
It was the Berkshire side’s heaviest reverse in almost 10 years, albeit they started brightly with Mike Cooke converting Willo Bicknell’s early opener.
But ill-discipline allowed Iwan Jenkins to land a brace of penalties before he added to scores from Ben Moa and Harry Legg.
Huw Taylor crossed for 25-7, but Rams gave themselves hope as Axel Kalling-Smith grabbed a seven-pointer with the final play of the first half.
Yet it was quickly snuffed out as Joel Broadhurst squeezed over, man-of-the-match Moa completing his hat-trick as Jenkins landed three more kicks.
Aaron Tull grabbed his first Rams’ try, Andrew Lamb with the extras, but the hosts hit back with converted scores from Jack Oulton and Gabe Mead.
The away side did, however, have the final word, Zach Clow’s effort salvaging a bonus-point.
Reflecting on a tough afternoon, the Director of Rugby said: “We actually started the game strongly and in a weird way I felt it continued, but the unforced errors came in which afforded them field position.
“And then as any good side will, they capitalised.
“But I thought we played some good stuff.
“We punched holes well, there was some good speed of play in the first half, we finished strongly, and I believe we deserved the bonus-point.
“It probably wasn’t a 60-point game, but their quality came through.”
He continued: “I know it sounds crazy, but I’m proud of the lads.
“We lost convincingly to a very good Plymouth side, but we asked for fight and desire, and we got that.
“We brought a young squad with a couple of debutants, and they stuck in the fight when they could have wilted at any point.
“There are obviously things we’ve got to look at, but we’ve got to keep pushing on.
“There are some guys struggling for confidence and others working out how they fit into the level, but they’ll get there. And they will be better for it.
“Coming to Plymouth in front of a 4,500-plus crowd is a new experience for many of them, but they have to log the disappointment and move on.
“They can’t sulk about it; they need to work out how to become better players and those who do will take us forward.
“We knew the kind of season it was going to be, but in hard times is when you learn the most.”
Conspicuous on debut was Varsity-winning Oxford University flanker Fergus Dick, who played the full 80 minutes and produced a gutsy display.
And Reynolds admitted: “I thought he did very well and had a strong game. He’s just getting to know the guys, so he’ll get better and better.”
Rams host Leicester Lions on Saturday (3pm).
