The popular front row was the club’s top try-scorer with an eye-catching 21 as Rams won National Two South back in 2018/19, and he recalled: “It was more than Jak (Rossiter) which is all-important! It was also more than (Tom) Vooght and penalty tries so definitely a good season.

“That year our driving maul was so potent we could get over the line with just me at the back of it, whereas last year Vooghty was the beneficiary with most of what would have been my tries – but we need that extra little bit of effort. It swings in roundabouts, but hopefully I can get to 50 soon enough.”

The title-winning campaign was Rams’ fourth in National Two, and Hendo said success came down to a number of factors.

He revealed: “It helped a few of those big clubs (Cinderford and Chinnor) had gone up!

“It was a maturing process – I joined as we enjoyed some National Three South West success, but I’m sure (James) Baker the historian would confirm there were a few middle-of-the-pack seasons before which you work through.

“The season before I arrived we’d reached the play-off against Old Elthamians, but then you’re that much more mature in the league, more experienced at the speed and it helps.”

He continued: “When we came into National Two, although we finished quite high (eighth in 2015/16), we were down and out, relegated, but once you get used to the intensity, it helps.

“I’ve said to a few of the boys like Max Hayman, I spent a few years on the bench at Worthing and Henley, and just by training at a certain level, you become better.

“If you took players here who might not be getting picked, they’d be shining stars somewhere else because they’ve been training at that level.”

While Rams ended winning the league convincingly with a remarkable 28 victories from their 30 games – including a club record 17 straight wins – Hendo admitted it was not straightforward.

He said: “We had to fight for a long time – nothing came easy. When you look back at the results some people might think it was some huge steam train which came at everyone else, but it really wasn’t.

“We’ve had some games against the likes of Chinnor and teams we’ve played in the past where they have relentless size and you just feel hopeless in a game – every week we had to grind it out and use our techniques and systems.”

And he explained further: “Since I’ve been here we’ve had some really good coaching.

“Technique is probably the biggest point which everyone seems to forget – whenever you read match reports or previews of our games it’s suggested we have a huge pack, but actually we’ve got no-one over 6ft 6in, no naturally huge locks or big props, we’re actually probably the smallest and shortest team around.

“It just happens to be well technically drilled and ruthless in what we do.”

Having climbed to National One, Rams enjoyed a memorable debut season in the third tier, and whenever rugby can resume, Hendo hopes they can continue to kick on.

He concluded: “Last year was a shock and no-one expected it, but we kind of paid our dues and prepped better than we ever had before and with a few good additions this year, I think we’re looking good.”

Rest of the calendar

1 - Jez Flynn
2 - Andy Lynch
3 - Josh Collis
4 - Joe Bell
5 - Rodney Hutson
6 - Seb Reynolds
7 - Jamie Guttridge
8 - Robbie Stapley
9 - Gary Reynolds
10 - Alex Seers
11 - Owen Root
12 - Nick Flynn
13 - Conor Corrigan
14 - Rookie the Ram
15 - Tom Vooght
16 - James Baker
17 - Jevon Marsh
18 - Jak Rossiter
19 - Andy Amor
20 - Kieran Leicester