Another storming five try second half saw Rams maintain their unbeaten National League 3 South West start to the season with a convincing defeat of league newcomers Chard at Essex Road.
Rams comfortably saw off an early 10-0 shock reverse to build a 19-10 lead at half-time before turning on the after-burners over the final 40 minutes.
They've now won all three opening matches in which they've crossed the whitewash 20 times and have the best defencive record in the league conceding just 42 points.
However, despite having missed their game against Brixham the previous weekend, re-scheduled for Nov.29th, they remain just two points behind league leaders Exmouth who've played four games.
Wing Ollie Poole and No.8 Gus Davies both crossed twice during the match while lock Michal Kruzycki, skipper Andy Amor, hooker Ben Henderson and man of the match flanker Azza Hopkins all added one each and topped, in general, by scum half James Brooks six conversions.
Azza Hopkins admitted afterwards: “It was a tough game! I think we, kind of, came assuming that they were going to be a bit easier and I think that's why we let them in in the first half, but, apart from that, I think that we showed them who was boss!”
And he added: “I did enjoy myself but it was tougher than we expected and they had a good defence but we need to keep hold of the phases and cut them down more, but that will come!”
Rams were in for an early shock, against a newly promoted Chard side experiencing National 3 South West rugby for the first time this season and without a win in their opening three games, when the home side eased, 3-0, in front through a 10th minute Ben Johnson penalty.
Five minutes later and still on top they caught Rams also napping on the right wing with flanker Ryan Hellier setting up lock Max Gosden for an easy touchdown and converted by Johnson, 10-0.
Rams, who commanded both the scrums and line-outs, first opportunity of points came midway through the half with a drop-goal attempt from Brooks that sailed wide as did his first penalty kick immediately afterwards.
But, he didn't have long to wait before finally landing his opening points as, after a patient build-up, hooker Ben Henderson and Azza Hopkins combined well together to send in No.8 Gus Davies for their opening try on 32 minutes that Brooks comfortably embellished, 10-7.
And, within three minutes, they had taken the lead and one which they would never relinquish when wing Ollie Poole pounced on a loose ball in his own half to race away unchallenged up the right wing and touchdown under the posts and to hand Brooks a simple conversion for a 14-10 lead.
A more relaxed Rams now had the bit between their teeth and they had stretched the lead by half-time when powerful drives from Kruzycki and flanker Tom Bryson finally saw the Polish international lock power over in the corner for his debut Rams try and put his side 19-10 ahead at the break.
As much as the home team tried gamely to haul themselves back into contention Rams, as they have done in their previous two outings, controlled the second half running in five more tries to comfortably ensure the try bonus point.
And two came in quick succession after the break.
First prop Matt Weller, fly half Luke Flower and lock James Hughes all lent a hand before centre Steve Bryant's inside pass to his skipper and co-centre Andy Amor saw him powering over and, within minutes of the restart, Poole had set-up powerful hooker Henderson for a stunning run in under the posts which, this time, Brooks converted.
Leading 31-10 Rams were now at ease and had extended their lead some 10 minutes later when Cleve were penalised for handling in a ruck and, from the resultant kick to touch, No.8 Davies took at the tail and smashed his way over.
Brooks converted as he did four minutes later when Poole grabbed his second, put away by some excellent running from full back Joe Duffellen and Flower and stretch the lead to, 45-10.
Although Chard did succeed in grabbing their only points of the second half when left-wing Ben May caught the visitors defence knapping and charged up the right-wing unhindered and Johnson converted, Rams replied with the coup-des-gras.
And it was fitting justice for flanker Hopkins who had an outstanding game and was rewarded for his efforts with the final try after replacement lock James Guttridge had set him up and put him away.
All-in-all it was, after being caught out early on, another fine Rams performance particularly from the pack with Hopkins, prop James Baker, and Kruzycki a huge influence around park.
As for the new boy and 20 year-old wing Josh Sunley, playing only his third rugby union match having previously played league rugby for Leeds Rhinos and Featherstone Rovers, he failed to score on his debut but when he did get the ball always made plenty of space beating several people each time and looked very dangerous indeed.
Rams now prepare for, unquestionably, one of their toughest game of the season when they face local rivals Bracknell at Reading RFC on Saturday, 2pm kick-off.
As skipper Andy Amor summed up: “It's all geared up now for the big derby next Saturday against Bracknell, we'll be training hard and that's the one that we really want to go out and win!”

Rams: Duffellen; Poole, Bryant, Amor (c), Sunley; Flower, Brooks; Weller, Henderson, Baker; Kruzycki, Hughes; Bryson, Hopkins, Davies. Reps all used: Crame, Guttridge, Mann.

- ends -