The visitors made a perfect start as Jak Rossiter’s break down the right took them into their opponents’ 22, the ball then spun back across the pitch for Zach Clow to cut a fine line to run in.

New dad Fraser Honey landed the kick, and things got better shortly after as the first of fiour tries from a rampaging maul was finished by Max Hayman.

There was no mistake again from Honey, and Rams moved further in front when man-of-the-match Ben Atkins was the beneficiary from another powerful set-piece.

Taunton showed their intent, though, with a fine try from electric wing Noah Fenton, the teenager finishing a slick backs move on the left.

Louie Sinclair bisected the uprights, but the visitors wrapped up the bonus-point before the break as Drew Humberstone blasted over from close range for a 24-7 half-time lead.

The interval did Rams no good, however, Taunton coming flying out the traps as Sam Leworthy burrowed over from a couple of metres out for a score added to by the impressive Sinclair.

Worse was to follow for the away side as a magnificent solo try from Fenton saw him slice through before turning on the afterburners, the conversion cutting the gap to just three points.

However, Rams were becoming increasingly dangerous at the breakdown, Atkins, the returning and excellent Vince Everitt and substitute Ross Crame all winning penalties which allowed their side to kick to the corner.

And it was from one of these line-outs captain Robbie Stapley powered over, the No. 8 grabbing his first of the season and his 98th in total.

Honey landed a fine kick to restore a 10-point margin, and the game looked like being safe when debutant Calum Scott came off the bench to dart off a maul for a maiden try.

The kick extended the lead to 38-21, but another brilliant Fenton finish, added to be Sinclair, kept Taunton in the game.

Honey kicked a penalty with five minutes remaining, only for Greg Kitson to cross almost immediately from the restart, Sinclair on target to make it a one-score game.

The visitors then turned down another shot at goal before Connor Hayhow was stopped just short from an interception, Taunton launching one more attack from under their own posts which was eventually stopped via another breakdown penalty on halfway, the impressive away support able to breathe easily at last.