MATCH REPORT: ZACH'S DREAM DEBUT AS TITANS BEAT SAXONS

DEBUTANT Zach Clow scored a sensational second-half hat-trick as RAMS Titans started 2023 with a bang, running in seven tries in a 45-12 HALBRO Raging Bull Shield Division One victory at Richmond Saxons.

It was the home side who made the first impression with an early close-range converted try, but Titans responded and levelled matters when a sublime back-of-the-hand inside pass from Ollie Monye allowed full-back Charlie Robson to touchdown under the posts.

Tim Townsend added the simple conversion, and his side moved in front immediately from the restart as Mike Hoyt wonderfully picked up a Niall Kidd off-load before racing clear and freeing Monye to run in from just inside the Richmond half.

Townsend’s conversion made it 14-7 at the start of the second quarter, and a quite extraordinary try extended the lead further shortly afterwards.

With RAMS’ scrum moving towards the hosts’ line, No. 8 Hoyt flicked a pass between his legs for Robson to double his tally from 10 metres out, and with Townsend again on target, Titans had a 21-7 advantage.

Saxons rallied, though, and after a fine passage of play involving numerous off-loads, captain Chris Blucke was able to snipe over for an unconverted try which cut the deficit to nine points.

However, the visitors struck again before the break, hooker Ollie Moffitt continuing his fine try-scoring form by carrying a would-be defender over the line with him from five metres out, Townsend maintaining his perfect record for 28-12.

With the weather conditions improving at the start of the second half, it was the away side who moved further ahead early on as some lovely handling in the backs allowed Clow to claim his first on the left-hand side.

An excellent touchline conversion extended the lead to 35-12, and Clow then showed his speed to grab his second from just inside the Richmond half after some more sumptuous handling from Townsend, Spencer Hayhow and Miki Vancura again freed the wing down the left.

Titans began to ring the changes as heavy rain and a resurgent wind returned, but the visitors saved arguably their best for last in allowing Clow to complete a debut to remember.

The ever-dangerous Robson initially found an off-load out of the tackle to Connor Hayhow, whose delightful flick out of the back of the hand enabled Townsend to throw a long pass to the left where Clow again showed his predatory instincts to surge down the touchline and add a final gloss to the score-line, improving his side’s record to eight league wins from 12 games.