A late Josh Bragman penalty snatched a first-ever victory for Rosslyn Park against Rams as the hosts won an early Christmas cracker 27-26 at The Rock.

The Berkshire side were ultimately left to rue a disastrous opening quarter-of-an-hour in which red-hot Rosslyn took an early lead as captain Arthur Ellis burrowed over from close range, man-of-the-match Bragman with the extras.

A second followed almost immediately as the impressive Ellis got his team on the front foot with a strong carry, the ball then sent down the line for Joe Luca Smith to dive over on the left.

Things were running away from Rams as Park grabbed a third try on 13 minutes, this one a cracker as Bragman’s cross-field kick was caught by James Cordy-Redden, the wing then nudging the ball back inside before Luca Smith hoovered it up to cross next to the posts.

The conversion made it 19-0, but the visitors gave themselves a life-line as a patient maul was dotted down by Morgan MacRae, Fraser Honey slotting a decent kick from on the right.

Yet Park responded swiftly, Sam Kennaugh held up over the line proving only a brief reprieve as the Londoners returned the goal-line drop-out for Tom Stanton to cross out wide.

Bragman slightly blotted his copybook by missing a straight-forward penalty, and Rams grabbed a life-line with a super score with the final play of the opening half.

It began with excellent scrum-half Jake Murray making a superb 35-metre snipe, and while he was stopped short, a simply astonishing long pass from Dan Swain sent Zach Clow over for a converted score and 24-14 at the interval.

Further hope arrived midway through the second half as Andrew Lamb snapped up a Murray chip ahead to touch down, the boot of Honey cutting the deficit to three points.

An unbelievable defensive effort from James Baker preserved the advantage as he somehow contorted his body to get under the ball as Park crossed the whitewash, and after opposition prop Matt Woodward was yellow carded for bringing a maul down illegally, the visitors hit the front with eight minutes remaining.

It was another strong set-piece which took them within a metre of the line, MacRae halted just short, but substitute Ben Atkins spotted a gap to stretch over for the bonus-point.

However, heartbreak was to follow as Rams were unable to exit from the restart, Bragman’s penalty putting his side back in front.

The visitors tried valiantly to come back once more, but ultimately they came up just short.

Rams remain second in the table though now six points adrift of leaders Richmond, the table-toppers snatching a final-play win against Rotherham Titans.

Next up for Rams is Friday Night Lights at home to Esher on December 20 (7.45pm). For tickets, click here