Cambridge 38 Redingensians 23
Young scrum-half Jack Hill made an impressive seasonal debut at National 2 South leaders Cambridge to help battling Rams to a well-earned try bonus point.
Originally named on the bench, 20-year-old Hill started after fly-half Luke Flower pulled a hamstring in the warm-up which meant No 9 Sam Brown had to switch to the pivot position.
Hill, with his quick intelligent service, hardly put a foot wrong, while Brown filled Flower’s role well as Rams grabbed four tries in another performance which belied their lowly position.
Assistant coach Seb Reynolds enthused: “We are becoming a competent side at this level. It speaks volumes for the way the squad is developing.”
Rams played with a howling gale at their backs and must have feared the worst at half-time when trailing 19-13.
But the avalanche of scoring never materialised as they played some of their best rugby of the season early in the second half.
They had led 8-0 after the first quarter through a catch and drive finished by Craig Nightingale, his first league try, and a Brown penalty.
Cambridge hit back with a George Furbank try improved by Gerhard Boshoff before a searing break by Ollie Poole sent over Sean McDermottroe.
But Rams defence faltered in the five minutes before the interval to present touchdowns to Albert Portsmouth and Boshoff, who converted his own effort.
Into the wind the third quarter belonged to Rams. They showed great forward skill with a series of mauls and pick and drives which took them deep in home territory to earn a line-out.
Then the Rams pack were patient before Berks under-20 lock Will Morrison eventually forced his way over to open his league account.
It got even better as the visitors took a 23-19 lead with a 30-metre break by Hill setting up winger Ollie Foxley for the bonus point score.
Then Cambridge started to use their skilful back division to good effect and despite some brave defence Rams in the end had to concede defeat.
The home side added tries through Portsmouth, Lawrence Hutchinson and Alex Moon, two converted by Boshoff.
Rams: Foxley, Poole, Bryant, Barnes, McDermottroe, Brown, Hill; Weller, Henderson, Baker, Taylor, Morrison, Amor, Nightingale, Guttridge. Reps: Whelan, Steadman, Root, K Kruzycki, Brooks.