RAMS almost pulled off an unbelievable late comeback, but ultimately were outgunned 41-36 by Darlington Mowden Park as there was no fairytale ending to James Baker’s 400th league appearance.

The hosts started strongly and grabbed an early lead as Max Hayman burrowed over from the back of a rolling maul, man-of-the-match Louie Johnson knocking over a straightforward penalty for DMP to reduce the deficit.

But Rams responded quickly, going through phase after phase before the ball was swung wide for Jak Rossiter to collect a third try in as many games.

However, the visitors then produced a six-minute blitz in which they scored three tries to take a stranglehold on the game.

Firstly, some concerted pressure near the hosts’ line ended with centre Harry Yates blasting over from close range, Johnson with the extras.

The stand-off then combined magnificently with fellow Newcastle Falcons loanee Oli Spencer to surge down the right for a brilliant try.

And after Johnson knocked over the kick, Mowden Park scored a stunning third, some exhilirating Harlem Globetrotters style handling sending Yates down the left before the ball came back infield for Ollie Fletcher to cross.

Rams replied with a cracker of their own, James McRae taking the ball in midfield before a trademark 50-metre break took him towards the line, the flanker unselfishly passing to Ollie Cole to cross under the posts.

Fraser Honey added the extras, but DMP had the final word at the end of the first half – Henry Bird firstly yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on before Corben Ollivent collected a sublime cross-field Johnson kick to touch down on the left.

Johnson’s kick made it 29-17 at the break, but Hayman doubled his tally early in the second period to give his side hope.

The hosts enjoyed some sustained pressure in their opponents’ 22, but it was Park who furthered their lead, Yaree Fantini this time hoovering up a Callum Pascoe kick for 34-22.

The game then appeared to be up for Rams as Ollie Hodgson burst through in midfield, freeing Fantini for a converted second and a 19-point lead with 10 minutes to play.

However, a Dan Swain chargedown gave his side renewed hope, Johnson sin-binned for an infringement near his line.

Hayman completed his hat-trick, again from the maul, and after Rowan Grundy landed a brilliant conversion, Stevie Bryant went over on the left with four minutes to play.

Drew Humberstone became the third successful converter, and one final maul then came down just a metre from the line, only for a knock-on to end proceedings in a pulsating finish.

Rams 36-41 Darlington Mowden Park (HT 17-29)

Rams

Tries: Hayman 2, 46, 72, Rossiter 9 Cole 33, Bryant 76

Conversions: Honey 34, Grundy 73, Humberstone 77

Darlington Mowden Park

Tries: Yates 19, Johnson 22, Fletcher 25, Ollivent 39, Fantini 51, 69

Conversions: Johnson 20, 23, 40, 70

Penalty: Johnson 5

Star Man: Louie Johnson (Darlington Mowden Park)

Referee: Tim Allatt

Attendance: 985

Rams