Match Report by Cameron Temple
Photos courtesy of Paul Clark, S2S photography

The Rams dominated a high quality first half, speeding their way to four bonus point earning tries in the first 40 minutes, to eventually win the game 33-15 as the two top defensive sides in the league faced off at Old Bath Road.
Despite the excitement of the first half, the game didn’t quite live up to expectations after the break with a number of stoppages and penalties killing the game.
Rams head coach mirrored this opinion in his post match interview saying, “I’m happy with the performance. They’re a very strong side and I think they purposefully picked a big pack to try and combat our strengths. But whilst they did that for a time I think we eventually got a foothold in the game and we were very dominant towards the back end of the first half. Unfortunately we didn’t kick on in the second half, but I was pleased with the overall performance.”
Reynolds also addressed the achievement of his team scoring 33 points against a quality Dings defence, saying, “They have a very solid defence. They are well organised and like to hit hard with their big guys, but I knew we had the skills to unlock it and we did so.”

The Rams began the game in typical Rams fashion driving following a penalty line out with Guttridge placing the ball over the line after just 6 minutes.
With the Rams looking in command, the Dings Crusaders earned a chance to put some points on the board through a penalty kick, only for an unusual situation to transpire where the Dings bench could not find their kicking tee, forcing Bolster to drop kick and narrowly miss the target, although it was a terrific effort being almost from the half way line.

However, the away side did not have to wait long to rectify this missed opportunity as they whipped the ball out wide from a mall to Grattan who dodged his opposite number to score in the corner and bring the scores level.
20 minutes into the game, with the game in the balance, the Crusaders won another penalty within kicking distance, and having solved the mystery of the missing tee, Bolster converted to put the men from Bristol into the lead.

This did not last long, as the Rams ruthlessly replied with three unanswered tries, the most notable of which coming just before half time as Illingworth kicked forward and Humberstone gathered popping the ball back to Illingworth who showed terrific vision to find Corrigan who burst through a gap in the Ding’s defence to score left of the posts, and Seers converted to take the Rams into the break leading 26-10.

The second half didn’t quite match the quality of the first, but the Dings crusaders came out determined, scoring early on, having caught the Rams off guard with a short line out allowing Sheriff to dash to the line, popping the ball to Capon who scored in the corner.

With the rest of the half passing by quietly, the Rams had the final say as Humberstone scored in the final few minutes to leave the Rams uncatchable in the game, as it finished 33-15, and the Rams maintained their run at the top of the table.
The Rams 1st XV take a break this Saturday 10th November. Their next fixture is against Taunton Titans away, Sat 17th November.

Rams:
Tries: Guttridge 6, Henderson 26, Taylor 34, Corrigan 39, Humberstone 74
Conversions: Seers 7, 35, 40, 75
Drop goals:

Dings:
Tries: Grattan 15, Capon 46
Conversions: Bolster 16
Drop goals:
Penalties: Bolster 22

Attendance: 420
Referee: Louis Biggs
Half time: 26-10
Man of the Match Humberstone - Rams

Rams: (15-9, then 1-8):
Duffelen, Rossiter, Bryant, Humberstone, Corrigan, Seers, Illingworth, Steadman, Henderson, Baker, Taylor, Etete, Amor, Vooght, Guttridge.
Replacements: Drew, Mcdonnell-Roberts, Crame, Richardson, Lloyd

Dings:
Grattan, Tovey, Smith, Brooker, Trinham, Bolster, Plummer, Hall, Capon, Chase, Curry, Sheriff, Ehizode, Williams, Holcombe.
Replacements: Lloyd, Anderson, Knight, Hargan, Arscott