A SUPERB first-half performance set Rams on their way to a bonus-point 33-12 home win against Leicester Lions as they moved level on points with Chinnor at the top of the National One table.

It took the hosts less than two minutes to open their account, Axel Kalling-Smith taking an inside ball before using his power and side-stepping ability to run in from 30 metres out for a score expertly added to by Fraser Honey from the right.

Things got better for Rams with another try-of-the-season contender, this time Mike Hoyt the creator as his sublime reverse pass from a line-out freed Charlie Robson to race through for his side’s second.

Honey slotted a simple conversion, but Leicester began to settle before the hosts again showed their threat when George Makepeace-Cubitt’s clever grubber kick forced a goal-line drop-out.

And they moved further in front on 35 minutes, Max Hayman grabbing his 17th of the season following a series of pick-and-goes.

Another successful Honey conversion was followed by the bonus-point score, substitute Ben Atkins making an immediate impact as Ed Hoadley’s kick was deflected into the path of Robson before the ball made its way to Atkins to race under the posts.

Honey maintained his perfect record from the tee for a 28-0 half-time lead, but it was Leicester who came out the stronger in the third quarter, dominating possession and territory as Rams’ discipline began to wane.

At one stage they conceded six consecutive penalties inside their own half, and with Lions swinging the ball from one side of the pitch to the other, they eventually got on the board as Malelili Satala crossed on the left.

The England Under 20s ace then gave his side a glimmer of hope of a famous fightback with a magnificent second, the wing contorting himself in midair to dot down before being bundled into touch as he collected a grubber kick.

A superb Lewis conversion from out wide cut the deficit to 16 points, but from there the hosts reasserted themselves and took control in the final quarter.

Twice they were denied near the whitewash – firstly knocking on just short before being held up over the line – but eventually man-of-the-match Hoyt burrowed over for a deserved try.

And while there were a couple more chances in the final stages, those proved to be the final points of the afternoon.

Rams head to Darlington Mowden Park next Saturday (3pm).

Final Score: Rams 33-12 Leicester Lions (HT 28-0)

Scorers:

Rams:

Tries: Kalling-Smith 2, Robson 11, Hayman 35, Atkins 37, Hoyt 71

Conversions: Honey 3, 12, 36, 38

Leicester Lions:

Tries: Satala 51, 63

Conversion: Lewis 64

Star Man: Mike Hoyt (Rams)

Referee: Tim Allatt

Attendance: 748

Rams

(15-9, 1-8) Makepeace-Cubitt, Bird, Kalling-Smith, Humberstone (vc), Robson, Honey, Hoadley; Marris, Hayman, Baker, C Stapley, Swain, Hoyt, McRae, R Stapley ©

Replacements: Scott, Lomas, Atkins, Monye, Grundy

Leicester Lions

(15-9, 1-8) Patrick, Glister, Hamilton (vc), Myall, Glister, Lewis, Ogden; Williams ©, Taylor, Thompson, Atuanya, Ward, Johnson, Murdoch, Godefroy

Replacements: Roberts, Dawson, Cairns , Bouchier, Stubbs