The visitors capitalised on a spilled ball in midfield to take a third-minute lead, showcasing both ambition and fine handling to go 75 metres before wing Andy Bulumakau generously fed Will Safe for the opening score.

Worse was to follow as Dan Brough danced through to double the lead, but Rams got on the board when Connor Stapley – on his 100th appearance – peeled off a maul to touch down.

Fraser Honey added the extras, but Birmingham came back immediately as the hosts dropped the restart and Freddie Painter glided past several defenders, Tighe Maxwell-Whiteley with his conversion for 7-17.

Moseley wrapped up their try bonus-point early in the second quarter, Ryan Roach the beneficiary, but the hosts rallied strongly before the break.

Firstly, debutant Mike Hoyt, spotted an enormous gap around the fringes of a ruck to run in from the 22, and then, on the stroke of half-time, a slick backs move ended with Jak Rossiter flicking an inside ball to Henry Bird to cross in clubhouse corner.

With Honey on target both times it was 21-22 at the interval, and things got better four minutes into the second period when Max Hayman celebrated his 50th game by smashing his way over from close range.

However, the visitors responded quickly, going back in front when Roach again rode over from the set-piece, Maxwell-Whiteley slotting the kick to restore a three-point lead.

Rams then put their foot down, though, replacement Ben Atkins hoovering up a loose-ball after a charge-down from the incomparable Dan Swain, the second row producing a man-of-the-match display of the highest quality.

Honey’s kick made it 33-29 before first-time starter Atkins was then grateful to fellow substitute Ollie Monye for his second, a lightning break from the scrum-half feeding the former London Irish man for his second.

Another moment of magic from Monye saw him race in from about 30 metres, signing off with a swallow dive to the delight of the fans.

Birmingham still refused to yield, though, and grabbed a sixth try of their own when Brough picked up a loose ball to double his tally.

However, with the sun shining and the crowd in good voice, it was Rams who had the final say, Zach Clow finishing superbly on the left to bring up the half-century and five match points to start the campaign.

Final score: Rams 50-36 Birmingham Moseley

Half-time score: Rams 21-22 Birmingham Moseley

Scorers:

Rams:

Tries: C Stapley 13, Hoyt 27, Bird 38, Hayman 44, Atkins 54, 61, Monye 70, Clow 79.

Conversions: Honey 14, 28, 39, 58, 71

Birmingham Moseley:

Tries: Safe 3, Brough 6, 75, Painter 15, Roach, 23, 52.

Conversions: Maxwell-Whiteley 16, 53, 76

Star Player: Dan Swain (Rams)

Referee: Alan Chandrachud

Attendance: 859