This week lowly Old Redcliffians, sitting 2nd from bottom in the table, visited 5th placed Redingensians Rams. Both teams seemed a little rusty from the outset as the ball changed hands constantly over the first few minutes of the game and there was a period of early stalemate as both teams battled to establish dominance over the game. Old Redcliffians seemed determined to rid themselves of their underdog status and this came to fruition after 9 minutes as Jones broke through the Rams defence following a line out to score directly under the posts, setting up Rayner for an easy conversion and suggesting that an upset could be on the cards as Old Redcliffians took the lead. The Rams reacted to this set back quickly with the pack discovering the same raw power that they had shown the week before but were let down following a drive by a sloppy pass in the opposition’s 22. Old Redcliffians were holding off the relentless attacks of the Rams as the Reading men struggled to find a way through, but Old Redcliffians momentum was soon thwarted due to Foss receiving a yellow card after 18 minutes. Redingensians took immediate advantage of this extra man as the ball was whipped out wide following a scrum for Bryant to side step his opposite man and score just to the right of the posts. The try was converted well to even up the scores. The Rams took the lead shortly after this following a period of outstanding flowing rugby, with good ground made by Weller and Henderson the ball was eventually popped off to Illingworth who calmly ran the ball in under the posts, in a move which some in the crowd were describing as “poetry in motion.” With Old Redcliffians sin binned man returning the half ended quietly with neither side able to take advantage any progress made, although it was becoming clear that the gap in points between the to sides in the table was not evident in the gap in class between the two sides on the pitch as Old Redcliffians were coping well with the standard. Once again, Old Redcliffians came out the sharper of the two sides following the break as they scored their second try of the afternoon following a line out and drive revealing a rare moment of weakness in the Rams pack. However, the Rams pack, determined not to be disheartened, embarked upon a terrific 40 yard drive immediately following the kick off only for Rossiter to be taken into touch agonisingly close to Old Redcliffians try line after the ball had broken from the pack. The Rams pack followed this up with another impressive drive and quick hands from Illingworth got the ball out wide for Rossiter to run the ball in at the corner after 51 minutes. The Old Redcliffians refused to go down without a fight as Bird intercepted the ball deep in the away teams territory and ran the length of the pitch to bring the scores level for the third time in the game. However the Rams extra quality began to shine through in the last 20 minutes as they put the game beyond reach with a typical rams try following a line out and drive followed by their sixth penalty try of the season to take the score to 33 – 19. However, Old Redcliffians had the final say as Doyle made a good break only for the move to be finished off by Fry to secure deserved extra bonus points for Old Redcliffians, but ultimately it was only consolation as the spirited game finished 33 – 26 to the Rams.
Next week (Saturday 28th October) please come and support Rams as they push to maintain their winning streak against Barnstaple at Home. KO 2.30pm.