LEGEND James Baker was pleased to play his part in helping Rams overcome Sedgley Park to make it nine National One wins from nine following their 40-22 triumph on Saturday.

The tight-head prop moved level with Exeter’s Richard Baxter as the joint second-top one-club man in the professional/semi-professional era, coming off the bench for his 423rd appearance - only Sedgley's Matt Riley (446) has more.

And despite his side trailing 17-14 at the break, Baker helped further initial scrum dominance as the hosts scored 28 unanswered points to seal the deal and return to the top of the table after Richmond had taken over the night before.

Rams had earned a penalty try from a scrum with the final play of the first half, but Baker and Ioan Emanuel’s arrival on 50 minutes had the visitors flying back as Robbie Stapley also earned a pushover score, all six of the Berkshire side’s tries coming from the pack.

Reflecting on a typically powerful display, James joked: “It’s what I do – it’s why they keep me around to try and build the dominance in the scrum.

“I’m getting slower and slower every year, but I can be an impact player and still have some key moments.”

After a difficult first half – and falling 22-15 behind early in the second period with Bertie Bradshaw’s brilliant individual effort – the hosts held their nerve, with James continuing: “We came together so well. When you see the team under the cosh a bit, you’re chomping at the bit to get on and try and make a difference – when you manage to do that and help get the win, it’s perfect.”

Next up for Rams is fourth-placed Blackheath on Saturday, and Baker looked ahead to the visit of the Londoners as well as his pride in reaching 423 games for the club.

He ended: “Blackheath is going to be another huge test. They’re having a good season, have some former Rams players who will be coming here looking to take our scalp, so we’ll need to prepare well and be ready for them.

“In the early years there might have been times when I could have looked around, but I’m so pleased I chose to stay and the way the club has progressed.

“We’ve managed to move forward, and it would be nice to think I’ve created a bit of a legacy. It means a lot.”

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