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BAKER URGES SIDE TO BACK UP CINDERFORD VICTORY

BAKER URGES SIDE TO BACK UP CINDERFORD VICTORY

Rich Ashton27 Nov 2021 - 08:25
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Legendary prop looks forward to Birmingham challenge

RAMS legend James Baker says it is crucial his side back-up last Saturday’s thrilling home win against National One table-toppers Cinderford when they visit Birmingham Moseley this afternoon.

James came off the bench at half-time as Rams turned the tide on the league leaders, and he believes the next step in their development is to produce a string of top-notch displays.

As he returns to the starting line-up at Billesley Common tomorrow, he explained: “Coming off a high like last Saturday, we have to make sure we don’t fizzle out – if we want to try and do something we have to take every game like Cinderford.

“Going down to Birmingham, they’ve got a big ground and they’ll be a big atmosphere.

“If we take our eye off the ball, they will beat us – we don’t want to do that, we want to go and get another win.”

He continued: “As with any away game, we want to try and quieten the crowd down early on because the more you let them get on top of you, they’ll get louder and louder.

“But if we don’t start well, we’ve got to fade it out and concentrate on what we’re good at.”

Looking back at the Cinderford clash, James – who has more than 150 caps for the first XV since joining the club more than two decades ago – admitted he remains as excited as ever by the sport.

He revealed: “I was a bit nervous before getting on because it was such a big game and the expectation was I’m coming on as an impact player.

“I had to get my head in the game, get focused and when I got out there soak up the atmosphere.

“When it came to the scrummage, one went down, but then we got the penalty try.

“George (Porter) and Cinderford’s pack have a big reputation, which has been earned the way they’ve dominated other teams, so Tarek (Haffar) and I came out with a point to prove and did the business.

“There’s a rivalry with Cinderford going back many years. I remember a couple of years ago them being on our line going for a penalty try, but we showed on Saturday we can compete with them.”

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