A MAGNIFICENT defensive effort helped Rams snap Sedgley Park’s remarkable 24-match home winning streak as they secured a brilliant 41-20 National One victory.

It was the home side who took a third-minute lead through a Warren Seals penalty, but Rams hit back with a beautiful converted try shortly afterwards.

Some slick handling freed Axel Kalling-Smith to scythe through the defence in trademark fashion, the wing then slipping a lovely inside pass to Ed Hoadley for the debutant to dive under the posts.

Fraser Honey added the extras before another Seals penalty reduced the deficit to a point, only for the visitors to extend their lead on the half-hour mark when Niall Kidd burrowed over from close range following a series of pick-and-goes from his side’s outstanding forwards.

Honey was again on target, and after he slotted a penalty with the final kick of the first half, Rams had built up a 17-6 advantage to put themselves in control.

However, Tigers made a dream start to the second period when a clever Seals chip was collected by Rhys Henderson, the wing making good ground before his off-load set-up captain Matt Riley to stretch over.

Seals’ conversion cut the gap to four, but Rams then turned on the power with man-of-the-match Max Hayman scoring a try very similar to Kidd’s, Honey retaining his perfect record for 24-13.

Things got better when replacement Ben Atkins went over at the back of a superb maul which twisted this way and that, his first touch off the bench making it a three-score game.

While Honey’s conversion attempt missed left, Rams’ collected a fifth try with Dan Swain the latest player to barge over from close range.

The conversion made it 36-13, but Sedgley Park kept going and grabbed a second of their own when hooker Danny Maher went over at the back of a maul.

However, Rams completed the job in fitting fashion, some magnificent tackling in their own half eventually forcing a turnover from Atkins inside their own 22.

With the clock deep into injury-time, he elected to run before booting the ball forward, and some more impressive pressure eventually forced the ball loose for Henry Bird to hoover up and dot down on the right.

Drew Humberstone’s conversion attempt fell short in the stiff wind, but it mattered little as Rams recorded a terrific third consecutive bonus-point win to start the campaign.