MAN-OF-THE-MATCH Andrew Lamb praised his teammates after making an eye-catching first start at fly-half in Rams’ 54-24 National One victory at Darlington Mowden Park.

The Scottish stand-off pulled the strings and landed seven conversions from eight – including three touchline crackers – to help his side end their season in style.

A Will Jones seven-pointer put the hosts in front before Rams rallied through Tom Vooght, Zach Clow and Joe Pannese, the boot of Lamb making it 21-7.

A Charlie Smith try reduced the arrears before Morgan MacRae sealed the bonus-point for the visitors, Mowden reducing the half-time deficit to 28-17 thanks to Dylan Thompson.

However, Rams took control after the break as Ben Atkins scored three minutes after entering as a sub, Axel Kalling-Smith next to cross after retrieving a long Lamb clearance kick.

Clow and Atkins doubled up to take the visitors past the half-century mark, and while Darlington deservedly grabbed a late bonus through Ethan Lyon-Hall, victory and a fifth-placed finish for Rams was never truly in doubt.

Commenting on a fine debut in the No. 10 jersey, Andrew said: “It was good fun. It’s cliché, but you can’t do it without the people around you helping you out and I enjoyed getting a few more touches on the ball. The kicking also went well so I can’t complain – although I did have a word with Axel about not going under the posts for his try!

“The pack were dominant and it’s so impressive the way these big lads keep going and going and going. They just keep getting back up and were outstanding.

“When they give us the front foot ball it makes it so much easier to get the likes of Axel, Zach, Joe – who was just class outside me and so dangerous – going.”

Rams had headed the table until mid-season before a horror run of nine defeats in 13 matches torpedoed hopes of a title tilt, but Andrew lauded the camaraderie of players and supporters alike which he believes bodes well for the future.

He ended: “We’re such a tight group – I’ve not been at a club where you’re so welcome in your first year.
“Everyone says ‘Ramily’ and when we had the bad run, as soon as the game was over we got our spirits back up and moved onto the next game.

“I can’t believe the support we’ve had again, it’s outstanding. For them to come so far, I couldn’t ask for more and it just shows again how special the club is.”