RAMS Development were beaten 35-7 by reigning Inter-Services champions the British Army under the Old Bath Road lights.

On a clear evening ideal for playing free-flowing rugby, it was the hosts who fired the first shot, a beautiful tip pass from captain Colin Thomson sending James Gilman on a mini-break into the 22.

The Reading University fly-half then freed Joe Pannese to send an inside back to Callum Pitfield, only for the final pass to go awry with the line a couple of metres away.

More good work followed with the outstanding Jack Rampton showing strength and silky footwork to go close before being bundled into touch on the right, but it was the Red Shirts who then hit the front slightly against the run of play.

Rams were left frustrated at a hint of crossing in midfield, but it could take little away from Matt Dawson’s fine off-load and an even smarter finish from former Newcastle Falcon Imi Qorowale, the Fijian flyer now at Ampthill.

Jack Johnson slotted a terrific touchline conversion, and the visitors came close to extending their lead when a grubber kick in front of Clubhouse corner was not grounded.

However, they made amends almost immediately as captain Pete Austin rode a powerful maul over for a second converted try and a 14-0 half-time advantage.

It was in the third quarter where the Red Shirts really took the game by the scruff of the neck, collecting another try with some slick handling down the line which ended as an inside ball sent Dawson under the posts from around 30 metres out.

Johnson maintained his perfect record from the tee before a carbon copy of the previous try took the Army further clear, replacement Joey Walker this time the beneficiary.

The visitors were now moving through the gears and only a sensational cover tackle from Rampton – who showed incredible desire and pace to get back and prevent another score.

However, it proved to be a momentary delay, Army again showing close-range power before another substitute, Josh Wright burrowed over.
To the young Rams’ credit, though, they stuck to their task and home man-of-the-match Rampton grabbed a late consolation to complete a good night’s work, Gilman with a tidy conversion.

The stand-off then struck a stunning 50-22 to create another territorial opportunity, but the line-out was snaffled before full-time was called on an entertaining contest shortly after.

The Development XV are next due to host Esher Cardinals on Friday, March 14.